The Chinese J-20 fighter is not equipped with a vector engine, do you think this is a wrong decision?That's right, you heard it right. Chief Engineer Yang believes that there is a profound strategic vision behind this decision. The shift from the previous air combat to the over-the-horizon long-range and medium-to-long-range attacks as the core means that the future form of warfare is undergoing a fundamental change. With the rapid development of informationization, the essence of war is gradually shifting to a contest of information and intelligence.
In this context, the design concept embodied in the J-20 fighter is precisely to meet the needs of future wars. In addition to high speed and high maneuverability, it pays more attention to radar stealth performance, long-range information perception capabilities, and information sharing with other combat platforms. You must know that every seemingly irreplaceable military technology will eventually be replaced by new technology due to the evolution of the form of warfare. Chief Yang did not simply abandon the vector engine, but based on a deep understanding and prediction of the future form of warfare.
China's decision not to equip the J-20 fighter with a vector engine has sparked widespread discussion. Behind this decision was a deliberate redefinition of the role and function of the fighter. With the development of informatization and intelligence, military thinking is also constantly evolving. The forward-looking judgment at the strategic level contained in the selection of this fighter technology is worthy of our in-depth research. As one expert said, this decision is not only a technological choice, but also a progress in the thinking of China, indicating a new transformation of the future air combat mode.
So, what kind of strategic wisdom does this decision of the J-20 represent?Let's take a look.