The Chinese J-20 fifth generation fighter will bear watching, but isn’t a near-term threat, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in an interview. “Is that a demonstrator or a prototype? My sense is … it’s more the former than the latter,” Schwartz told the Daily Report. This doesn’t mean that the J-20 aircraft won’t lead to an operational type, but “we’ll definitely keep an eye on the development,” he said. “Although I respect the Chinese engineering and manufacturing capability,” he continued, “we should keep in mind that [operational stealth] is something that we invented and . . . it wasn’t a cakewalk for us.” Asked if the J-20’s resemblance to the F-22 and F-35 designs indicates that the Chinese are pilfering US secrets and can advance faster than the US did in developing a true stealth combat capability, Schwartz said such concern “requires that we protect our advantages.” He added, “In that respect, it’s a team sport between government and industry.”
Air Force Chief of Staff nominee Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said he'll give special attention to coordinating with the Navy on buys of new weapons.
