Forget the J-20: China Might Be Building a 6th Generation Fighter
It is unclear where the Chinese sixth-generation fighter might be in the development stage, but at this point it likely trails the U.S. efforts.
Here s What You Need to Know: Beijing has made much progress, but it cannot innovate (or steal designs) as quickly as it needs to catch up to Washington.
While the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force operates the Chengdu J-20, the world’s third operational fifth-generation stealth aircraft after the United States’ Lockheed Martin-built F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, it had only built around fifty or so of the aircraft as of last year. Few details are known about its speed, stealth performance or maneuverability and it is unclear if the J-20 is a true rival of the F-22 or F-35.