manfredzhang wrote:http://news.ifeng.com/a/20170703/51365644_0.shtml
Translation:
A high level discussion regarding “future air combat” was held in Beijing during which the “dogfighter is useless” comment posted above was revealed.
A few highlights:
Figures attending the discussion include Yang Wei, chief designer of J-20, Xu Yongling, test pilot and An Shidong, former Director in charge of Air Force military theory study.
The discussion generally recognize the USAF’s understanding of future air combat meaning things like situation awareness, relying on system rather individual aircraft, focusing on BVR engagement are the features of future air combat.
The discussion largely downplays the importance of dogfight and WVR engagement.
The discussion largely recognizes the result of the Red Flag exercise and F-35 as a fighter jet while in the meantime being very critical to so called “military specialist” e.g. Tyler Rogoway (did not mention his name) and Fox Trot Alpha who repeatedly bash F-35.
The discussion speaks very high of situation awareness and information processing and tries to persuade the air force to change their mind and shift their focus from maneuverability to information fusion.
They might subscribe to that theory (now), but it's questionable whether they thought that way during the J-20's genesis. More likely I think, is that China's first foray into stealth technology not be too ambitious. Meaning incorporating super-maneuverability (or even very maneuverable) component into the J-20 wasn't in the cards.
Think F-117. When Lockheed developed it, stealth was in its infancy in this country. The flat, faceted shape and other issues dictated the emphasis be on a low observable, stable strike platform strictly air to ground in its mission. The J-20 looks to be more advanced, but a as a low observable (if not VLO), stable missile and strike platform it excels. Plenty of gas for the Pacific theatre, it nonetheless has no intention of mixing it up with F-35's or F-22's. I see it strictly as a standoff missile platform against carrier strike groups, and perhaps tankers and AWACS (if its sensors are up to snuff).
A stealthy F-111 it will be, with all of the air to air shortcomings of the F-111B in particular...