The Navy’s intelligence shop judges that China’s new J-20 prototype will be both stealthy and have supercruise capability, and is “likely designed to counter US F-22 and F-35 capabilities.” These comments came in response to press requests for an analysis of the many photos of China’s new airplane that have begun circulating on the Internet. “The Chinese know the importance of developing an indigenous commercial and military aircraft design industry,” and have indicated they plan to design a “next generation fighter that will have signature-reduction and supercruise performance capabilities to compete with Western fighters,” stated the Navy intel analysts. The J-20 in the photos “appears to be this aircraft,” they said. Given the developmental status of the J-20, “we don’t expect it to be operationally fielded for some time,” they continued, but “the employment of this fighter in numbers will be both a qualitative and quantitative improvement” for the Chinese air force. (See also our previous J-20 coverage: Underestimating China and China Joins the Stealth Club)
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
