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China’s military looks to J-20 jet-drone match-up for combat edge
- PLA pilot says unmanned aerial vehicles can do what humans cannot – endure extremes for long periods
- US military tandem test hints at future warfare with mother ships keeping out of enemy range while drones fly into danger for intelligence and combat missions
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China has again hinted at a potential pairing of its most advanced aircraft, the J-20, with drones in a tandem strategy that would expand Beijing’s combat capabilities, according to state media.
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“The future is a big era for drone development. Important questions are: what role should drones play in future battlefields, how to team up manned and unmanned vehicles, and what tactical goal can be achieved,” Chinese air force pilot Liu Qihong was quoted as saying about the J-20 in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV.
“If teamed with four drones during a mission, the manned vehicle can have a wider surveillance area and clearer sense of danger. What’s more, drones can overcome long endurance periods, high temperature and a lot of noise, which might become unbearable for human pilots.”
The CCTV report was shown as the air force marked its 72nd anniversary on November 11.
The remarks on teaming the J-20 – an advanced fifth-generation fighter with stealth and supersonic cruise capabilities, also known as “Mighty Dragon” – with drones came weeks after the plane was shown at the latest Zhuhai Airshow together with a drone, the GJ-11 “Sharp Sword”, a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle.
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