China aims to challenge U.S. air dominance

New and rapid military development by China is challenging U.S. military superiority in air and space, compelling the Pentagon to investigate new technologies in order to stay ahead.

Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, the Pentagon’s chief operating officer, made the announcement Monday during the inaugural conference of the China Aerospace Studies Initiative, which supports U.S. research on China’s aerospace objectives. The conference took place while hundreds of Chinese officials are in Washington for the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, meant to promote mutual cooperation and communication between the two countries.

Late Monday, a Chinese, state-run news agency reported a vice chairman of the country’s Central Military Commission said China has shifted from “catch-up research to independent innovations," according to Reuters.

Work said technology being developed by China includes radar-evading aircraft, advanced reconnaissance planes, sophisticated missiles and state-of-the art electronic warfare equipment. The U.S., he said, is developing direct energy weapons as a tactical and cost-effective means of counterattack.

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