Growing Demand for Stealth Aircraft Capabilities
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More and more states are trying to achieve stealth aircraft capabilities. Stealth aircraft avoid detection using technologies that reduce reflection/emission of radar, infrared, visible light, radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and audio.
China has recently revealed a new-generation stealth bomber program, the Hong-20. While details of the aircraft are not known, it could have a longer range than existing stealth aircraft undergoing testing or in service of the Chinese Air Force.
The new stealth bomber will complement the Shenyang J-31 Stealth Fighter which was first publicly flown in 2016 and a single-seat, multirole stealth fighter aircraft, the Chengdu J-20 manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG).
Flight tests may take place soon, state-owned Global Times newspaper reported.
The Hong-20 bomber has been under development at the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute since 2008, Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta previously reported.
The Hong-20 could improve both defensive and offensive air force capabilities and “enable the army to possess stronger nuclear and conventional deterrence,” defenseworld.net cites sources.
Meanwhile, the Belgian government has selected the F-35 stealth fighter to replace its F-16 aircraft, building on a 40-year defense partnership with Lockheed Martin, according to the company’s youtube channel.
