Is there any J-18 "Red Eagle" fighter jet?

No, there is no Red Eagle fighter

Information doubts

One of the absurdities: The "J-18 first flight" actually took place in Inner Mongolia

Anyone with common sense knows that the first test flight of a fighter jet can only be conducted at the location of the manufacturer. The J-20, J-31, J-15, and J-16 unveiled in recent years all follow this ironclad principle.

There are several major fighter aircraft development bases in China, including Chengdu, Sichuan, Shenyang, Liaoning, and Xi'an, Shaanxi. Inner Mongolia may have military training and test bases, but it is definitely not a good place for a first test flight.

Absurdity 2: The performance of the "J-18" is too good

As we all know, China's engine technology is still at an immature stage. The J-10 and J-20 engines There is still a need to continue to improve reliability, but the "J-18" has made a big leap forward by using a "high-thrust vector engine" that can take off and land vertically. Moreover, the "J-18" is like a myth, directly skipping many technical difficulties that still exist in China. Not only can it take off and land vertically, but it also uses a phased array radar. It has stealth performance and super maneuverability. It is almost the first in history. An unprecedented all-round fighter. The most ferocious point is that the combat radius actually reaches 2,000 kilometers, which ignores the traditional "short legs" weakness of vertical take-off and landing fighters.

It can be seen that the existence of the "J-18", like its performance, is more like the science fiction content of a third-rate novelist's work.

Absurdity No. 3: What is "Laser Phased Array Radar"?

The media that spread the news about the "J-18" all put "laser phased array radar" as the first item in describing the performance of the "J-18". But this mysterious device has become a popular joke in real military forums. Phased array radar is the iconic equipment of the new stealth fighter, but lidar is a meteorological tool for detecting clouds. The two are completely incompatible. The forcibly grafted "laser phased array radar" is probably the fantasy work of an entry-level military fan, or it may be the random imagination of a Japanese reporter.

What's more, the equipment configuration and performance of the J-20 that has been photographed cannot be understood. Why has so many performance indicators been disclosed for the "J-18" that relies solely on word of mouth and no real evidence? The conclusion can only be false.

Absurdity No. 4: Fake news was actually born in 2008

In fact, the revelation by Japan’s "Asahi Shimbun" is not an innovation, but originated from a domestic forum in 2008 that was allegedly reprinted by the United States A post on the "Defense News Weekly" website claimed that China's first fourth-generation semi-fighter aircraft, the "J-18", made its maiden flight in Beijing. Domestic forums have reproduced this many times, but the content is ridiculous. The test pilot was even called "Li Zhonghua". The United States also used F-22 to simulate a confrontation with the "J-18", and the result was a huge defeat. Although this forum post was reprinted many times, it did not attract enough attention at the time, and domestic military enthusiasts scorned it.

The so-called news from the US "Defense News" is basically a fabrication, and the website does not have such content. However, after the Japanese media repackaged it, the "J-18" was transformed into a "vertical take-off and landing fighter", and this domestic fake news was once again revitalized.

Nowadays, China’s “fighter craze” has become a feast for domestic and foreign media. Some media who cannot find first-hand materials and news are trying to squeeze into this feast. Naturally, they will use any means to make lies and spread rumors. result.

Absurdity No. 5: Invincible?

As people spread the word, its capabilities have also been greatly improved, not only surpassing third-generation fighters, but also far surpassing fourth-generation fighters. Not only can it take off vertically, but it can also defeat the American F-22. Become the world's number one fighter, and become an invincible existence. However, taking into account China's current fighter level, it will take some time to reach or even surpass other developed countries. Therefore, the performance of the J-18 is too advanced and domestic technology cannot meet the requirements.

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