AI-Powered Chinese Fighter Takes Down F-35 in Simulation

Deteriorating U.S.-China Relations
Military Confrontation Over Taiwan
New Technology to Shoot Down U.S. Stealth Aircraft?

Amidst the signs pointing to a new Cold War, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the standoff between North and South Korea, and North Korea’s missile provocations, the relationship between the world’s two major powers, the United States and China is progressively deteriorating. Recent tensions stemming from disputes over surveillance balloons have further deepened with the emerging possibility of China providing military support to Russia.

The ongoing military confrontation between the U.S. and China in Taiwan is of particular concern. China, which has openly pursued military expansion to assert control over the South China Sea, is rapidly bolstering its military capabilities to deter U.S. intervention. In response, there are growing concerns that even the United States, the world’s preeminent military force, might find it challenging to avert significant harm in a direct clash with China. Recent research findings released by China have generated considerable attention.

Chinese Research Team’s Simulation: F-35 Shot Down in 8 Seconds?

A research team from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics recently claimed that a Chinese fighter jet shot down an American stealth fighter like the F-35 in a hypersonic air combat simulation using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The paper, published in the Beijing Journal of Aeronautics and Astronautics last month, explained that AI developed “astonishing tactics” to defeat the enemy.

According to the paper, in the AI computer simulation, a Chinese hypersonic fighter jet that received the command to shoot down a U.S. stealth aircraft made contact with the enemy aircraft flying at the F-35’s top speed of Mach 1.3 (about 988 mph). Then, it launched a missile from approximately 30 km (18.6 miles) and successfully shot down the enemy aircraft in just 8 seconds. So, what were these astonishing tactics?

Unexpected Launch from Unexpected Location
Significant Increase in Combat Response

In previous simulations, pilots instinctively flew directly towards their targets. However, with the help of AI, the pilot flew to an unexpected location, far ahead of enemy fighters. Then, the pilot employed a so-called “over-the-shoulder” launch tactic, firing missiles backward toward the enemy, the paper explained.

The researchers highlighted that such ‘counter-intuitive’ strategies could significantly reduce operational risks for pilots and offer the most extended kill range. They added, “AI technology can enhance a fighter’s situational awareness and response to offensive and defensive actions.” However, no weapon launch control system for hypersonic fighters has been developed yet.

AI and unmanned fighters are a 6th-generation concept. The U.S. is known to be the closest country to developing a 6th-generation fighter, and its B-21 strategic bomber, revealed last year, is considered the world’s first 6th-generation military aircraft. Moreover, while the Chinese researchers’ paper is just one of many simulations, Lockheed Martin completed a 17-hour unmanned flight of the X-62A using AI technology.