China used downed U.S. fighter to develop first stealth jet



China was able to build its first stealth bomber using technology gleaned from a downed U.S. fighter, it has been claimed.

Beijing unveiled its state-of-the-art jet – the Chengdu J-20 – earlier this month.



Military officials say it is likely the Chinese were able to develop the stealth technology from parts of an American F-117 Nighthawk that was shot down over Serbia in 1999.

Sabre rattling: Scores of people gathered to watch China's J-20 stealth fighter jet complete a second test flight on Sunday

It was during Nato's aerial bombing of Serbia during the Kosovo war, that an anti-aircraft missile shot a Nighthawk (pictured). It was the first time one of the 'invisible' fighters had ever been hit

During Nato’s aerial bombing of the country during the Kosovo war, a Serbian anti-aircraft missile shot the Nighthawk. It was the first time one of the ‘invisible’ fighters had ever been hit.



The Pentagon believed a combination of clever tactics and luck had allowed a Soviet-built SA-3 missile to bring down the jet.



The pilot ejected and was rescued but the wreckage was strewn over a wide area of farmland.



Civilians collected the parts – some the size of small cars – as souvenirs.



‘At the time, our intelligence reports told of Chinese agents crisscrossing the region where the F-117 disintegrated, buying up parts of the plane from local farmers,’ says Admiral Davor Domazet-Loso, Croatia’s military chief of staff during the Kosovo war.



‘We believe the Chinese used those materials to gain an insight into secret stealth technologies... and to reverse-engineer them.’



A senior Serbian military official confirmed that pieces of the wreckage were removed by souvenir collectors, and that some ended up ‘in the hands of foreign military attaches’.

Rising power: China is developing a ballistic missile system and plans to launch its first aircraft carrier in 2015 but insists its military is pursuing a peaceful, defensive policy



In what appears to be a clear message of its military might, China staged the first test flight of the new stealth jet earlier this month - at the same time that U.S. defence chief Robert Gates was in Beijing on the second day of an official visit.

The fighter jet's successful test follows reports that China is planning to launch its first aircraft carrier and has tested a ballistic missile capable of sinking U.S. vessels in the Pacific.

The prototype jet was shown in flight, with civilians and air force personnel watching on, in pictures on several unofficial Chinese military websites, after local media outlets had claimed a successful test flight had taken place.

While the Chinese government is renowned for its stringent approach to state secrets, photos and reports of the J-20's test have remained online.

According to international agencies, the scheduling of the test flight to coincide with Mr Gates' visit to China, coupled with the seemingly relaxed approach to reports about the flight, indicated Beijing's willingness to be more open about its military intentions.

Nonetheless, reports of the stealth's successful test will do little to quell anxieties about the speed of China's military progress.

The U.S. F-22 Raptor is currently the only operational stealth fighter in the world, while Russia's Sukhoi T-50 jet is expected to enter active service in the next four years.

But pictures of China's J-20, which looks larger than the F-22 or T-50, will be of concern to the Taiwanese government, whose antiquated aircraft and radar systems would provide little resistance to radar-evading Chinese jets.

The U.S. has claimed China would not be capable of developing a stealth jet for years and production of the F-22 was recently capped.

But the J-20's successful test, coupled with reports of the development of an aircraft carrier and missile system, confirms China's growing military might.



SPY TECH: HOW THE J-20 SHAPES UP AGAINST ITS RIVALS A study of photographs of the aircraft by industry journal Aviation Week revealed the J20... is a single seat, twin-engine aircraft.

is bigger and heavier than its Russian (Sukhoi T-50) and U.S. (F-22) equivalents.



is around 75ft long with a wingspan of 45ft



has landing gear that retracts into body-side bays, indicating the likely presence of F-22-style side weapons.



could be loaded with larger weapons including air-to-surface munitions because of the distance of its base from the ground.

likely weighs 75,000-80,000lb, with no external load, suggesting a generous fuel capacity.



is compatible with newly developed air-to-ground weapons revealed by Chinese engineers at the Zhuhai air show in November. The F-22 Raptor... is also a single seat-twin engine stealth fighter.

is 62 feet long with a wingspan of 44ft 6in, making it lighter and more maneuverable.

It stands 16ft, 5in off the ground.

can carry medium and short range air-to-air missiles in three internal weapons bays on the bottom and sides of the fuselage.

It weighs 43,430lb when empty, and around weight: 64,460lb when loaded. Its maximum takeoff weight is 83,500lb.

Its fuel capacity is 18,000lb internally, or 26,000lb when it uses two optional external fuel tanks,

While many are still operational, the F22 is coming towards the end of its shelf-life, with the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act containing no funding for F-22 production. The Sukhoi T50... is currently being developed for the Russian Air Force by Moscow defence company Sukhoi.

had, by November 2010, made 40 test flights. The second prototype is due to start its flight test this year.

will replace the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker and directly compete with the F-22 Raptor.



is a one-seat twin engine stealth fighter.

is 65.9ft long with a wingspan of 46.6ft and stands 19.8ft high.

weighs 40,785lb when empty and 57,320lb fully loaded with a fuel capacity of 22,711lb.

has a top speed of Mach 2, 1,560mph.

does not yet have armaments but there is apparent provision for two 30mm cannons with two internal bays for guns and missile.









