In fresh years, China has importantly accelerated the modernization of its army, which is worrying among US military commanders.
Brig. Gen. Doug Wickert, commander of the 412th Edwards Air Force Base Test Wing in California, during the gathering “Back-in-the-Saddle Day” on January 6, this year, warned against the increasing power of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (CHAL-W) and threats in cyberspace from the Communist organization of China (KPC). His statements are reported by a popular air blog ‘The Aviationist’.
Threats in Cyberspace
General Wickert drew attention to long-standing cyber attacks that led to the infiltration of critical U.S. infrastructure specified as power grids, water and transport systems. He stressed that at least a twelve telecommunications companies had admitted to violating their systems, which allowed you to monitor the communication of the highest government officials.
“The KPCh knows all conversation my government telephone has made in the last 4 years,” said Wickert. – And they are inactive there – we cannot get free of them. That's what uncertainty and hazard means. It creates a very dangerous world.
The general stressed that the pace of upgrading the ChAL-W is “unprecedented” and far outweighs the United States' modernisation efforts. It predicts that by 2027, in areas west of the global date change line where US forces are stationed, ChAL-W will have a numerical advantage over US forces in modern fighter jets compared to 12 to 1 (including 5 to 3 in the case of 5th generation fighters) and 3 to 1 in patrol aircraft. A Chinese bomber fleet of 225 manned machines has no competition in the region. At sea, the ChAL-W has a 3 to 1 advantage in aircraft carriers and landing ships, over 6 to 1 in modern submarines and 9 to 1 in modern multi-task ships.
On 26 December 2024, on the occasion of Mao Tse Tunga's birthday, the Chinese aviation manufacture presented 2 fresh combat aircraft produced by Chengdu Aircraft manufacture Group and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Especially the debut of the sixth generation Chengdu J-36 aircraft sparked discussions on China's possible overtake over Western countries in the field of military technology. There is inactive small known about this machine, as it is known only from a fewer amateur recordings and not very clear photos that were published online.
United States reaction
General Wickert pointed to Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider – a fresh stealth bomber to become the foundation of American bomb forces.
– This is 1 of the many things we are working on here that will change president Xi's calculations of our readiness," Wickert said, referring to B-21 Raider.
412th Test Wing is simply a United States Air Force Test Unit (USAF), liable for the development, investigating and evaluation of the latest aviation technologies and weapons systems. This unit is stationed in Edwards Air Force Base, California – 1 of the most crucial USAF test bases. The wing conducts attempts to exploit fresh combat aircraft specified as F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor or B-21 Raider bombers, as well as investigating avionics, weapons and software systems.
Wing 412 manages a fleet of prototype machines and is liable for assessing their performance, safety and compliance with the requirements of combat missions. The unit supports the improvement of modern solutions that increase the technological advantage of the American Air Force. The wing plays a key function in NASA's investigating projects and cooperates with the defence industry, having a crucial impact on the future of U.S. military aviation.
China's increasing military power and its cyber-war capabilities are a major challenge to the national safety of the United States and their allies. In consequence to these threats, American armed forces, including units like 412. The Test Wing, intensifies work on fresh technologies and strategies to keep a balance of power and guarantee global security.
