In this video, we count down the Top 10 Chinese military planes that shaped the history and future of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). China has developed some of the world’s most advanced fighter jets and warplanes, from early interceptors to cutting-edge stealth fighters.
What you’ll see in this video:
Legendary jets like the J-7, J-8, and J-10
Stealth fighters such as the J-20 and J-31
Strategic aircraft and interceptors
How Chinese planes compare to global military aircraft
The rise of China’s air power in the 21st century
👉 If you love military aviation, fighter jets, and air force documentaries, make sure to like, share, and subscribe for more top 10 rankings.
#ChineseMilitary #FighterJets #MilitaryAircraft #Top10 #PLAAF #ChineseAirForce
#J20 #J31 #Warplanes #MilitaryPower #Aviation #StealthFighter #MilitaryTechnology
#ModernWarfare #AviationLovers #MilitaryAviation #AirForce #Jets #ChinaMilitary
#DefenseTechnology
What you’ll see in this video:
Legendary jets like the J-7, J-8, and J-10
Stealth fighters such as the J-20 and J-31
Strategic aircraft and interceptors
How Chinese planes compare to global military aircraft
The rise of China’s air power in the 21st century
👉 If you love military aviation, fighter jets, and air force documentaries, make sure to like, share, and subscribe for more top 10 rankings.
#ChineseMilitary #FighterJets #MilitaryAircraft #Top10 #PLAAF #ChineseAirForce
#J20 #J31 #Warplanes #MilitaryPower #Aviation #StealthFighter #MilitaryTechnology
#ModernWarfare #AviationLovers #MilitaryAviation #AirForce #Jets #ChinaMilitary
#DefenseTechnology
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00China has gone from 1950s technology in the 1980s to the stealthy combat aircraft of today.
00:06No other nation has made such rapid progress in the field of aviation technology
00:10in the last 40 years as the People's Republic of China, PRC.
00:15The majority of new military aircraft types flown in the last 20 years have been Chinese.
00:20And today, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force
00:23and People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
00:26operate a fascinating inventory of diverse aircraft.
00:30Here are 10 of China's best military planes.
00:33Number 10. Shenyang J-8, Finback
00:36The J-8 combat aircraft series began life as what was essentially a scaled-up MiG-21
00:43the Soviets had also explored this concept with the Yi-150 series,
00:48with the location of air intake, as with the MiG-21, in the nose.
00:52The Cultural Revolution massively delayed its development,
00:55and despite first flying in 1969, it didn't enter service until 1980.
01:02The design was obsolete, but many of its shortcomings were rectified in the radically modified J-8-2,
01:08which replaced the nose air intake with conventional side air intakes to create room for a larger, more modern radar.
01:15This aircraft, given the NATO designation Finback B, was so different as to be almost a new aircraft.
01:21On 1 April 2001, a J-8 collided with the United States Navy Lockheed EP-3E Ares, two aircraft 70 miles, 112 kilometers southeast of Hainan Island.
01:35The U.S. aircraft was likely on a signals intelligence mission, collecting Chinese electronic emissions.
01:43One of the two J-8s struck the EP-3 during a series of aggressive passes.
01:48The J-8B crashed, and despite escaping the aircraft, its pilot Wang Wei was killed after a parachute malfunction.
01:56The EP-3E made an emergency landing on Hainan.
01:59All 24 crew members survived, and the aircraft was impounded.
02:05It is believed the Chinese retrieved something of an intelligence windfall from the EP-3.
02:11Number 9.
02:12GNY-20
02:13This large four-engine strategic airlifter is 47 meters long and has a maximum takeoff weight of around 220,000 kilograms .
02:27The aircraft has the standard modern configuration for a transport aircraft, with a shoulder-mounted wing and a broad T-tail, broader in cord at the top than the bottom, an inverse taper as pioneered on the YC-15.
02:41The Y-20 has an impressive ability to move heavy equipment.
02:44It is claimed that the Y-20 can fly 7,800 kilometers , carrying two Type-15 light tanks, which weigh over 33 tons apiece, or one Type-99, a main battle tank, weighing over 50 tons .
03:03Cion used model-based definition MBD during its development.
03:09This is the practice of using 3D computer-aided design software to its fullest extent, speeding up development.
03:16Espionage probably also aided the program.
03:18In 2016, a Chinese hacker pleaded guilty in Los Angeles for accessing documents relating to the American Boeing C-17 transport plane.
03:29Advanced engines have proven the most demanding technology for China to master in its rapid leap forward in aerospace.
03:35But there have been signs of progress in recent years.
03:40The Y-20 initially used an obsolete Soviet engine type, but in 2023, it was fitted with the indigenous high-bypass Shenyang WS-20 turbofan.
03:50There are tanker and AEW and C variants of the Y-20.
03:54Number 8.
03:56Xian J-H7 Flounder
03:59The Xian J-H7 is a large twin-engine fighter-bomber, broadly in the weight class of the European Panavia Tornado.
04:06It is powered by two Shen WS-9 Qinling turbofans, which are essentially license-produced Rolls-Royce spays.
04:14The spay also powered several other aircraft types, including some British F-4s.
04:18The Xian J-H7 first flew in 1988 and entered service in the 1990s.
04:25It has the NATO reporting name, Flounder.
04:28It is of conventional configuration and features a high-set wing.
04:32It has been likened to the Anglo-French Sepucat Jaguar in overall layout, though there are significant differences.
04:39It has proved a versatile aircraft.
04:41It's compatible with various weapons for different mission sets, including unguided rocket pods, air-to-air guided missiles, guided anti-ship missiles, and anti-radiation missiles to attack radars.
04:55It has a Soviet-designed 23mm twin-barrel GSH-23L autocannon with 300 rounds.
05:02The improved JH-7A was designed to meet a more advanced precision-strike aircraft requirement.
05:09The JH-7A uses more modern materials for a lighter and stronger airframe, and has a significantly improved maximum weapons payload of around 9,000 kg .
05:21It is likely it can deploy nuclear weapons.
05:24In May 2013, production of the Chengdu J-7 ended.
05:35This was the end of a very successful program that had been running for almost half a century and had created well over 2,000 aircraft that had been widely exported.
05:45The Chengdu was a licensed-produced variant of the Soviet MiG-21.
05:48Its development followed the huge success of the J-6, a similarly Chinese-manufactured MiG-19.
05:56Initially, the sometimes tricky relationship between the USSR and China hampered development.
06:02The J-7 and MiG-21 were fast, agile, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, thanks to the communist military belief in using superior numbers over superior technology.
06:13It was an impressive dogfighter for its generation, and its small size made it difficult for radars or human eyes to detect.
06:21Implementation of advances in weapons, sensors, and human-machine interface meant the J-7 stayed relevant.
06:29It spawned various training aircraft, and even an uncrewed concept has been explored.
06:33The aircraft serves, or served with, the air forces of Albania, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
06:51Number 6. Shanxi KJ-500 Airborne
06:58Early warning and control aircraft are flying radar stations.
07:01They can detect aircraft, waterborne vessels, ground vehicles, missiles, and even artillery rounds.
07:08They also perform command and control of the battlespace, coordinating military actions.
07:12The KJ-500 is based on the airframe of the Shanxi Y-9 transport, which is a modernized development of the Shanxi Y-8F, a Chinese version of the Soviet, later Ukrainian, Antonov An-12.
07:27The relationship between the Y-9 and Y-8 is comparable to that of the U.S. C-130 Legacy series and the C-130J Super Hercules.
07:35The key feature of the KJ-500 is a fixed dorsal radome.
07:41This is a large disc fairing on top of the fuselage that does not rotate like the rotodomes of older AEW aircraft.
07:48Most modern radars are steered electronically rather than mechanically.
07:52The radome contains three active electronic scanning array, ASO radars mounted in a triangle, offering 360-degree coverage.
08:00The KJ-500 is highly regarded by some Western defense analysts, who believe it will significantly increase Chinese defensive and offensive capabilities.
08:11A variant, the KJ-500H, capable of being air-refueled for longer-range endurance missions, was displayed at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2022.
08:22Number 5. Xi'an H-6
08:25Though the 1950s concept of a Sino-Soviet nuclear force was abandoned, it led to the establishment of a Chinese assembly line for the Soviet Tupolev 2-16 design, along with all supporting design information.
08:40The aircraft is a twin-engine long-range bomber that first flew as the 2-16 in 1952.
08:47The Chinese version is known as the H-6, and it first flew in 1959.
08:52It has a maximum weapon payload of around 9,000 kilograms .
08:59It can carry free-fall bombs, anti-shipping missiles, cruise missiles, and, probably, nuclear weapons, as well as a six-defensive 23mm automatic cannon.
09:10An additional one may also be carried.
09:11In 2014, the Yellow River froze in Inner Mongolia.
09:16The ice was blocking the flow of water and risking mass floods.
09:20Though bombing a river may sound like a metaphor for a feudal act.
09:24In this case, it was an actual successful solution.
09:27At least three Zhiyan H-6 took part, dropping 24 unguided bombs.
09:33They all hit the target and broke the ice.
09:36The most advanced variant is the H-6K, with superior systems and engines.
09:41This is designed for attacks with modern long-range missiles.
09:44A daunting prospect for any naval force is the prospect of a salvo of 100 supersonic missiles, likely YJ-12, with a range of up to 310 miles that a regiment of 18 H-6Ks could launch.
10:01It can also fire YJ-21 air-launched ballistic missiles.
10:06Number 4. Shenyang J-16
10:10The most feared Soviet fighter for the final years of the Cold War was the Su-27 Flanker.
10:16It boasted everything in spades.
10:18Spectacular turn rate.
10:20Astonishing high alpha performance.
10:22World-record-setting climb rate.
10:24Weapons persistence.
10:26It could carry more air-to-air missiles than any other Cold War fighter.
10:29And, importantly, long range.
10:32Though similar to the MiG-29 in configuration,
10:35the Su-27 is far larger.
10:38The Su-27 is around 22 meters long, over 72 feet.
10:42While the MiG-29 is about 17 meters, over 60 feet, 55 feet.
10:47The Flanker series proved highly adaptable, but the story of these derivatives lies after the Cold War.
10:54The Flanker combines a clever aerodynamic configuration with a large amount of the aircraft's fuselage contributing to lift,
11:00with a high power-to-weight ratio, at lighter fuel loads.
11:05Shortly after the Cold War, the Flanker's draw-dropping air displays astonished Western audiences with extremely high alpha and wild controlled maneuvers at extremely low speeds.
11:15China has a bewildering array of officially and unofficially developed Flanker variants and derivatives.
11:23The Shenyang J-16, pictured, is the most radically Chinese Flanker derivative and is available in large numbers.
11:30The J-16D is an electronic warfare, EW variant, equipped with wingtip EW pods and other specialized mission equipment.
11:41Number 3. Chengdu J-10
11:43The J-10 is a medium-weight, multi-role, single-engine combat aircraft that first flew in 1998.
11:51It is of the tailless Delta Canard configuration, a form most favored in Europe and shared with the larger Chinese J-20.
11:59It's the backbone of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, with an estimated 580 in service.
12:04The J-10 is based on CAC's experiences with the cancelled J-9 project, which underwent many iterations during its protracted development.
12:15The cancelled Israeli Lavi project of the 1980s, a different aircraft to today's M346 Lavi,
12:22likely influenced the project regarding flight control system, FCS, development and integration, avionics, and overall program management.
12:31It appears to be an excellent all-rounder, well-equipped with modern sensors and weapons.
12:37It boasts an impressively small turn radius, excellent low-speed performance and modest runway length requirements,
12:44meaning it takes off and lands at shorter distances than many other fighters.
12:48The J-10C arsenal of modern weapons includes the long-range PL-15 missile, and it is an aircraft to be respected.
12:55The J-10B variant introduced refinements that made the aircraft more stealthy, notably a new divertless supersonic intake.
13:05The J-10s' weaknesses are likely to include high fuel consumption and relatively low range.
13:11Number 2. CAC-PACJF-17 Thunder, the CAC-PACJF-17
13:20Thunder is a joint Chinese-slash-Pakistani fighter aircraft.
13:25According to the JF-17 pilot we spoke to, it is
13:29underrated, reliable and effective.
13:32The JF-17 is a light fighter operated by Pakistan, Myanmar and Nigeria, with others coming soon.
13:39While the Gripen utilizes one Hornet engine to great effect, the JF-17 gets by with one MiG-29 engine.
13:45What the JF-17 lacks in all-out performance is offset by a major advantage.
13:52It's unaffected by U.S. foreign policy decisions, as it's fitted with modern Chinese weapons and avionics.
13:58This is not the case with the Pakistan Air Force's United States-supplied F-16s.
14:03A generally conventional design, the most noteworthy feature of the aircraft is its diverterless supersonic inlet DSi,
14:11which uses a bump and forward-swept inlet to avoid the complexity of a variable geometry intake.
14:18This serves to slow and smooth the air that reaches the jet engine.
14:21According to the pilot, the best thing about the JF-17 is the continuous upgrades of indigenous, Pakistani,
14:30and Chinese weapons and electronic countermeasure suites.
14:33He also noted the impressive long-range, or stand-off, capabilities of exceptional range,
14:39certain weapons including the Arak-Irak, CM-400 and C-802 AK cruise missiles.
14:45Number 1. Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon
14:50China was the second nation in the world to put an indigenous stealth fighter into operational service.
14:56With its extremely long-range anti-air weapons, this relatively stealthy platform could prove formidable.
15:03It is the first stealth aircraft to adopt the tail-less canard delta configuration.
15:08Unlike the other fighters with the canard delta arrangement, the canard is not closely coupled to the wing.
15:13The main benefit from this arrangement being the carriage of significantly more fuel,
15:19coupled with the scope for a long internal weapons bay, providing sufficient volume for a wide range of weapons.
15:25Its stealth, supercruisability, achieving and maintaining supersonic speed without recourse to afterburner.
15:32And modern weapons mean the J-20 is likely a capable aircraft, unique in role and configuration.
15:37Achieving its full potential depends on the degree to which China can overcome its historical problems with engine development and stealth technology.
15:46The J-20 is likely less stealthy than the F-22 and F-35.
15:52And at least one F-35 pilot has stated that he doesn't believe the J-20 is low-observable in a meaningful sense.
15:58In reality, its stealth credentials, like that of any modern-serving aircraft, are not available in the public domain.
16:07If you enjoy the video, don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more amazing content!
16:11the video.
16:12So now, I'll see you next time!
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