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International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > Chinas Emerging 5th Generation Air-to-Air Missiles
Internet source imagery from January 4 has offered the first glimpses of what may be Chinas emerging 5th generation air-toair missiles (AAM). One missile, called the PL-ASR or PL-10, shows a very close resemblance to the South African Denel A-Darter
AAM. A second image, discovered on a Chinas Northwestern University web site in mid-December, shows another missile
similar to the radar-guided South African Denel R-Darter, designed in cooperation with Israel. Both of these missiles are likely
designed for use with modern Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD), which enable pilots to look to kill their targets. But there is
more: additional imagery suggests that a previously reported ramjet powered development of the Chinese Luoyang PL-12
active-radar guided AAM, called the PL-13, could give the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) an AAM that could out-range existing
U.S. AAMs.[1]
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MBDAs Modern AAMs: The ASRAAM short-range and Meteor longrange AAMs seen at the recent Dubai Airshow. Source: RD Fisher
While first generation short range infrared guided AAM relied on the pilot to find and maneuver to attack an often rapidly
moving target, 4th and 5th generation short-range AAMs rely on aircraft sensors and advanced helmet mounted displays to
target these latest AAMs which usually have much greater range than a pilots sight. In the 1980s, in addition to using the
aircrafts radar, the Soviets introduced more sophisticated optical infrared search and tracking (IRST) systems, which allowed
aircraft to turn off emitting radars which in turn could be targeted by opposing electronic sensors and jamming. The Russian
OLS-30 IRST used in late versions of Sukhoi fighters, and Shenyang co-produced Su-27/J-11 fighters, is reportedly able to
passively search and track targets out to 50-90km. While Russian IRSTs are reportedly not able to determine range, the
Russians apparently network several fighter IRSTs and radar to find the range of targets, even stealthy targets.[3] HMDs are
able to collate data from radar, optical sensors, plus aircraft performance data onto the pilots helmet visor, allowing him to
target distant threats without having to concentrate on cockpit instruments. Israels DASH HMD became the basis for the U.S.
Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) HMD, which support the AIM-9X AAM that in 2003 started entering service on
U.S. F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 fighters.
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AIM-120D and R-77: The AIM-120D is the latest model of the AMRAAM
due to enter service soon, whereas China may have purchased up to
1,000 of the Vympel R-77 AAM. Source: US Air Force and RD Fisher
The AIM-120, the Russian R-77 and the French MICA dominate the market for active-guided AAMs. In this decade Japan, China
and Taiwan have fielded active guided AAMs, with the latter two relying on imported technology. All active-guided AAM makers
have sought to improve their products with better seekers, some using satellite navigation guidance, enhanced electronic
counter measures, the addition of data links to provide updated target location data, and better engines to enable longer
range. The U.S., Russia, Europe, South Africa, and perhaps more recently China, have developed ramjet engine powered AAMs
to achieve longer ranges without increasing missile size. Ramjets also allow the missile to sustain its high speed over most of
its range, which significantly expands the no escape zone or area within which a target will likely be killed. The only ramjet
powered AAM soon to enter service is the MBDA Meteor, which advertises a 100+km range, and a constant Mach 4+ speed and
a no escape zone three times that of early AIM-120 AAMs.[4] More recently Russia has revived its very long range missile
program with the Novator K-100 or K-172, which has been variously reported to have a 200km to 400km range. The last U.S.
very long range Hughes AIM-54C Phoenix, capable of reaching 150km, was retired from U.S. Navy service in 2004. While the
U.S. had two-stage and ramjet missile engine AAM test programs in the 1980s and 1990s,[5] it has chosen not to replace the
long range AIM-54C.
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International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > Chinas Emerging 5th Generation Air-to-Air Missiles
PL-9C and HMS: It is not clear that the PL-9C AAM with the TK-14
helmet sight is in widespread PLA service, an indication that the PLA
was instead waiting for a more advanced short-range AAM. Source: RD
Fisher
Perhaps a key reason for not purchasing the PL-9 has been the expectation that the PLA would be building an even better
AAM. At the 2002 Zhuhai Airshow Luoyang officials told this analyst and other reporters that the company was working on an
advanced AAM. The few details disclosed, such as advanced guidance, the use of thrust vectoring and helmet displays created
a basis for speculation that Luoyang was interested in an AAM like the British ASRAAM. Despite the heavy reliance on
purchased Russian short range AAMs like the R-73, the inspiration for Luoyangs 5th generation AAM was to come from
elsewhere.
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International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > Chinas Emerging 5th Generation Air-to-Air Missiles
New Radar Guided AAM: Two new-type AAMs straddle a single PL-12
on a three-missile pylon on a JH-7A fighter bomber (top). This vague
image was obtained from a Chinese university web site, and appears
to show some similarity to the somewhat larger South African/Israeli RDarter (bottom) radar-guided AAM. Source: Internet
The key similarity between the new PLA AAM and the R-Darter appears to be their shape and the possible inclusion of a small
roll stabilization fins behind the front fins. However, it also appears that this new missile is appreciably smaller than the RDarter, perhaps weighing only about 100 to 110kgs.[9] This would mean a shorter range, perhaps 20 to 30km. It is not
known whether this new AAM has a semi-active, active, or even a passive seeker. One possibility may be a version of the new
small 150mm seeker being marketed by Russias AGAT.[10] It is clear that the PLA intends to exploit this missiles light weight,
as its first public illustration shows two of the new missiles paired with a PL-12 on a single three-missile launch pylon. This
pylon configuration allows newer fighters such as the FC-1, J-10, J-11B and JH-7A to increase their beyond-visual-range AAM
carriage capability. This missile could also be intended to quickly upgrade the latest models of 3rd generation fighters like the
Shenyang J-8IIF/H and the Chengdu J-7E/G with a lightweight radar guided AAM to complement the PL-10 infrared/imaging
AAM.
If these two new PLA AAMs were aided substantially by South Africa, then it would stand to reason that South Africa may have
also provided key enabling technologies such as Helmet Mounted Display systems and data links. Denels Archer HMD was
developed to support the A-Darter and R-Darter and would likely have been sold to China along with the AAM technology.
Chinas Luoyang group has also long commented, albeit cryptically, on its interest in developing HMD technology, with images
of experimental HMDs appearing from time to time. A new Luoyang HMD may benefit from indigenous and foreign technology.
A helmet mounted sight displayed by the Cigong Group at the 2004 Zhuhai show uses prominent light-emitting diodes to allow
cockpit computers to track the position of the pilots head, in order to target weapons, the same system used by the Denel
Archer HMD.
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missile the images credibility is supported by the inclusion of images of
the PL-12 and the recently revealed PL-10. Source: CJDBY web site
If a real program, then the PL-13 would give the PLA a long-range AAM with considerable new capabilities. The R-77M-PD was
reported to have an estimated range of 160km and the PL-13 should be expected to do as well or better. Furthermore, as it a
ramjet powered missile, it is expected to sustain its high speed, likely about Mach 4 and greater, throughout its engagement,
meaning that it has a substantial no escape zone, perhaps similar to that of the MBDA Meteor. Should the PL-13 see a nearterm introduction, the it will likely be used in conjunction with the PLAs AWACS aircraft that can find distant targets and then
pass targeting data to attacking aircraft, likely J-11B and J-10 fighter. But the potential range of the PL-13 offers an indication
that the PLA is also likely developing long-range radar for its 4th and 5th generation fighters, or may be interested in
upgrading existing fighters with new longer range Russian radar. Inasmuch as Vympel has been marketing passive guided
versions of the R-27 and R-77, it is reasonable to speculate that a version of the PL-13 may feature a passive guidance
system, to better enable long-range attacks against critical support aircraft like AWACS, electronic warfare and tanker aircraft.
The PL-13 could also form the basis for a future light-weight anti-radar or supersonic anti-ship missile.
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venerable Xian H-6 (Tu-16) bomber was also being upgraded into a more powerful land attack cruise missile and PGM carrier.
While open data is very scant, U.S. and Chinese sources indicate that both Chengdu and Shenyang have 5th generation
combat aircraft programs that could fly by the middle of the next decade, and both companies are likely developing a range of
unmanned combat aircraft. The first PLA Naval Air Force carrier wing may include modified J-11B or J-10 fighters, to be followed
by a Chinese or Russian 5th generation naval fighter.
These hardware improvements have been accompanied by the development of new offensive and joint-force aerial doctrines,
and increases in training time and training sophistication. Chinas leadership has also shown its willingness to use its Air
Forces to intimidate Japan and Taiwan. Japan had to scramble fighters to intercept intruding PLA aircraft 13 times in 2005 and
107 times in the first three months of 2006.[19] For two days in September 2007 the PLA sent 40 bomber sorties into the
disputed Shirakaba/Chunxiao East China Sea gas field region, prompting 12 Japanese fighter intercept sorties.[20] In
November 2007 PLA Air Force exercises with KJ-2000 AWACS apparently followed coordinated East Sea Fleet and South Sea
Fleet naval exercises designed to intimidate Taiwan. Starting abruptly in 1999 the PLA Air Force has increased its presence in
the Taiwan Strait, often flying up to or over the mid line, an unofficial boundary both sides have honored, offering some
degree of confidence, but which Chinese commentators now say is not recognized by China.[21] From 1998 to 1999 PLA air
sorties in or near the Strait jumped from 400 to 1,100, and then jumped from 940 to 1,700 from 2005 to 2006.[22]
But in late 2007, in a move consistent with Beijings efforts to intensify its Legal Warfare against Taiwan, China began
indicating its intention to create a new air transport corridor which at some points would be barely 30km from the Taiwan Strait
mid line, and also indicated it was going to create a Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the Taiwan Strait.[23] By one
definition, an ADIZ is The area of airspace over land or water, extending upward from the surface, within which the ready
identification, the location, and the control of aircraft are required in the interest of national security. While China may want
the new air corridor to help ease airport congestion, China currently only allocates 30 percent of its airspace for civil traffic,[24]
raising questions about its real intent on the Taiwan Strait. Both the new air corridor and a new ADIZ over the Taiwan Strait
would offer multiple opportunities for miscalculation or for the creation of aerial incidents that could justify military escalation.
For example, what if Taiwanese fighters or SAM bases could not identify a Chinese airliner that has strayed well over the mid
line prompting a tragedy similar to the 1983 Soviet shoot-down of the Korean Airlines Flight 007? Might China then attack
Taiwan or just force concessions? Or might a Taiwan Air Force scramble to indentify such an intruder give the PLA cause to
launch S-300 SAMs or fighters at the Taiwanese?
As there appears to be a relationship between Chinas growing airpower in its willingness to use its new capabilities to
intimidate its neighbors, U.S. policy makers to pay close attention to how the PLA is quickly shifting the airpower balance on the
Taiwan Strait. For example, Taiwan does not have a 5th generation helmet display guided AAM that can counter the PL-10.
Should the PLA decide to upgrade its late model third generation J-7E/G and J-8F/H and newer 4th generation J-10 fighters
with the PL-10 and its new light-weight radar guided AAM, it might quickly gain over 500 fighters that could dominate Taiwans
126 F-16s, 57 Mirage-2000s, 90 or so F-5 and 126 IDF combat aircraft in a short-range battle. The PLAs Sukhoi fighter fleet
has had this superiority since the mid-1990s due to its R-27 helmet sighted AAMs. All Taiwan fighters save the F-5s have the
ability to fire self-guided medium range AIM-120, MICA EM or Sky Sword 2 AAMs, but these could in the future be handily
outranged by a ramjet-powered PL-13. The PL-13 would also pose a new threat to Taiwans six E-2 Hawkeye AWACS,
essential for Taiwan to appropriately employ its smaller number of fighters against a larger force. The introduction of these
new PLA AAMs place greater pressure on Taiwan to replace its F-5s with 66 F-16 Block 50 fighters, as it has been trying to do
for some time, and also to upgrade other elements of its air force. Taiwan now has an urgent requirement for the helmet
display sighted AIM-9X AAM for all of its fighters, as it also could handily justify an early purchase of Lockheed Martin F-35
fighters which would give it a modest technical advantage in terms of stealth.
Narrowing Choices for Washington
Chinas growing airpower also creates greater pressure for the United States to react, both in terms of improving its own
capabilities and those of its allies and friends. The advent of the PL-10 and possibility the PL-13 raises the possibility of a new
AAM Gap, a condition that U.S. Air Forces endured for the 1990s. Soon after the Cold War it was determined that former East
German MiG-29 fighters had a decisive first-shot close-in battle advantage over U.S. fighters due to the helmet-sighted
Vympel R-73 AAM. The PLA purchased this AAM with its Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters in the 1990s, and had the same
advantage over U.S. fighters until the 2003 introduction of the AIM-9X. But in the PL-ASR/PL-10 the PLA may have a close-in
combat AAM that could potentially have twice the range of the AIM-9X.[25] This presents U.S. defense planners with little
alternative but to seek an upgraded longer-range AIM-9. In 1998 Australia chose the 20km range HMD sighted British ASRAAM
over the AIM-9X to arm its F/A-18A fighters.
Furthermore, save for the F-35 which will not enter U.S. units until 2012, no U.S. fighter has an integral Infrared Search and
Tracking (IRST) system, as is carried by PLA Su-27, Su-30 and J-11 fighters, and is employed by the European Eurofighter and
the French Rafale. This may enable the PLA to get the first shot with its new PL-10 AAMs when targeted passively by their
IRST. The U.S. Navy is proposing adding an IRST to the F/A-18E/F, but its placement on a centerline fuel tank offers a restricted
field of view.[26]
At the same time the U.S. may be facing stronger competition regarding longer-range AAMs. While the maximum range of the
AIM-120D remains a classified number, limitations of size dictate that it may very well be outranged by a ramjet powered
missile that does not need to include an oxidizer in its fuel. For the 1990s the U.S. justified its lag in developing a 5th
generation short-range AAM due to the superiority of the Raytheon AIM-120 self-guided AAM family. This, combined with the
use of E-3 and E-2 AWACS, was believed to enable existing F-15 air superiority fighters to sustain a commanding edge in
battle. This proved valid against lesser air forces like those of Iraq and Bosnia. And the U.S. expects that the Lockheed Martin
F-22As impressive advantages in stealth, long range AESA radar and passive sensors, and super-cruising speeds to sustain
the ability of the U.S. to find and attack it opponents first, thus securing air dominance.
But as the emergence of PLA 5th generation AAMs indicates, this picture could change quickly absent U.S. action. China is
developing long-range AAMs like the PL-13 or could purchase the longer range Russian Novator K-100 and present an
unacceptable threat to critical U.S. AWACS aircraft. Denied superior situational awareness from AWACS, U.S. F-15s and F-16s
would be forced to rely on their own radar, electronics and weapons. The PLAs development of new AAMs and its purchase of
Russian AAMs would then raise the possibility of uncomfortably reducing the U.S. margin of superiority, and thus reducing
deterrence. The U.S. is now introducing the AIM-120D, which may have range in excess of 100km and has the advantage of a
two-way data-link, so the missiles radar can increase the situational awareness of the combat network. The U.S. is also
developing a next generation AAM designed to combine short-range, medium range air combat superiority and ground attack
capabilities, called the Joint Dual Role Air Dominance Missile (JDRADM). But despite experimental programs in the 1980s and
1990s the U.S. does not appear interested in a very long range AAM. It may now be necessary for the U.S. to revisit programs
that sought to develop two-stage and ramjet powered very long-range AAMs,[27] or consider purchasing the ramjet powered
MBDA Meteor.
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Ramjet ARM: The U.S. Air Force recently released this image of a new
ramjet-powered missile being tested from a QF-4 drone, apparently a
new version of the AGM-88 anti-radar missile. This power plant could
also form the basis for a new very long range AAM. Source: U.S. Air
Force
The U.S. introduction of the F-22A offers substantial compensation, as its stealth and super-cruise offer great tactical
advantages over most 4th generation fighters. But the U.S. decision to limit the number of F-22As to 183 means that only 58
are going to be based in Alaska and Hawaii.[28] This advantage is also in danger of being neutralized by the potential
emergence of Chinese 5th generation fighters in the next decade, or a possible Chinese decision to purchase Russias 5th
generation fighter. Meanwhile, the U.S. faces even greater pressures from the potential loss of over one-third of its 440 F-15
fighter fleet due to recently discovered structural flaws.[29] Even though there have been longstanding concerns about the
aging F-15,[30] the U.S. Air Force has plans to upgrade about 177 with new AESA radar, a plan that may be reconsidered.[31]
It may now be more important that the U.S. build up to the U.S. Air Forces requirement for 381 F-22As, or even better,
consider an upgraded version that could carry more and better long, medium and short-range AAM, and include an IRST
device.
The brutal surprise of Russian MiG-15s early in the Korean War helped push the U.S. to remain a leader in air superiority, an
expensive investment sustained for three generations. Preserving air superiority has also been a critical factor in Americas
ability to deter large-scale conflict, especially in Asia. The U.S. has also sustained a policy of providing its allies and key friends
with ever more modern air defense systems so that they in turn contribute to the deterrence of conflict. Washington has
especially relied on maintaining Taiwans technical superiority in the air to undergird its ability to deter Chinese aggression. But
Chinas sustained across-the-board investment in modern air combat capabilities is but one of many emerging areas of U.S.Chinese military competition. The U.S. has little choice but to exceed Chinas capacity to produce superior combat aircraft, the
weapons to arm them, and the support aircraft to ensure they sustain the ability to quickly establish command of the air in
order to dominate battlefields below.
tid=445336&extra=page%3D1
[2]
In the highly technical and competitive field aerial weaponry, one of the best filters has been Robert Hewson, the award
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winning editor of Janes Air Launched Weapons (JALW), which adds considerably to this study.
[3] Possible Russian use of IRSTs and passive phased array radar against the stealthy F-35 are explored in, Grigory Grisha
Medved, Sukhois Lightning Strikes the F-35 JSF, Air Power Australia NOTAM, January 20, 2008,
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-NOTAM-030907-1.html .
lang=EN&noeu_id=123; Robert Hewson, Meteor BVRAAM, Janes Air Launched Weapons, 2006, p. 63.
[5] In the late-1990s Raytheon developed a ramjet powered version of the AIM-120 for a British competition that was won by
Meteor, see, Stewart Penny, Long range dogfight, Flight International, June 30, 1999,
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/06/30/53319/long-range-dogfight.html
[6] Luoyang officials first described the background of the PL-9 AAM to the author at the 1996 Zhuhai Airshow.
[7] Latest China-South Africa Military Cooperation, Kanwa Defense Review, October 15, 2004, p. 14.
[8]
[9]
The author would like to thank Robert Hewson for prompting this observation.
[10] Robert Hewson, China hints at new air-launched missiles, Janes Defence Weekly, January 30, 2008.
[11] Robert Hewson, SD-10 (PL-12), JALW 2007, op-cit.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Robert Hewson, SD-10 (PL-12), JALW 2007, op-cit.
[14] Robert Hewson, RVV-AE-PD (R-77M-PD), JALW 2006, p. 82
[15] Ibid.
[16]
Vympels active marketing of the R-77M-PD since the late 1990s also suggests that this missiles technology was offered
for export.
[17] Sayan Majumdar, After Brahmos More Collaborations?, Indian Defence Consultants, April 12, 2004.
[18] Interview, May 2007.
[19]
[20] Tsuyoshi Nojima, Chinas sudden show of force sent SDF jets scrambling, The Asahi Shimbun, January 2, 2008,
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200801020031.html .
[21] Beijing Expert Says China Never Recognizes 'Cross-Strait Median Line, Zhongguo Tongxun She, January 7, 2008, Open
[22] Taiwan Ministry of Defense, 2006 National Defense Report Republic of China, Taipei: Ministry of Defense, 2006, p. 49.
[23] On December 6, 2007 Taiwan President Chen Shui Bien gave the first indication of Chinas intention to impose an Air
Defense Identification Zone on the Taiwan Strait, to prevent U.S. and Japanese intelligence gathering flights, and then to
create a new air route in the Taiwan Strait, see, Ko Shu-ling, Chen says Beijing altering status quo, Taipei Times, December 7,
2007, p. 3; for further on Taiwanese objections, see, Taiwan criticizes Beijing over air route near air force training zone,
South China Morning Post, December 18, 2007.
[24]
David Lague, China planning Taiwan Strait route for commercial aviation, International Herald Tribune, January 8, 2006.
[25] While the exact range of the AIM-9X is a classified number, Janes Air Launched Weapons credits it with a 10km range.
However, one other source notes it has been fired to ranges of 20 to 22km by modified F-15C fighters, see Seymour Johnson,
Raytheon plans data link for AIM-9X Sidewinder, Janes Missiles and Rockets, October 2005, p. 14.
[26] Graham Warwick, Super Hornet set to get air-to-air boost from USN, Flight International, April 17, 2007,
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/04/17/213274/super-hornet-set-to-get-air-to-air-boost-from-usn.html
[27] The U.S. is apparently developing a ramjet powered version of the AGM-88 Harm anti-radar missile to give it longer range
to address new long-range SAM threats. This effort could be redirected to provide a new longer range AAM, see, Bill
Sweetman, Fast Attack, Ares Blog, January 22, 2008, http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?
plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a710a5216-59db-44d3-86ef-9aa5cfecfd90 ; Robert Wall and Douglas Barrie, Pentagon
Eyes High-Speed Missiles For Stealth Aircraft, Aviation Week and Space Technology, December 23, 2007,
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/aw122407p1.xml
[28] A wing of 40 are now being deployed to Elmendorf Airbase, Alaska, and 18 to Hickam Airbase in Hawaii by 2011, see,
Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield, Elmendorf welcomes F-22 Raptor, Air Force Link, August 8, 2007, http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?
id=123063874&page=1 ; David Fulghum, Hawaiian Raptors, Aviation Week and Space Technology, June 8, 2007,
http://aviationweek.typepad.com/ares/2007/06/hawaiian_raptor.html#more
[29] A mid-air breakup of a F-15C fighter in November 2007 forced repeated fleet groundings and has since led to the discovery
of a structural flaw that may permanently ground about 160-180 F-15s, see, Graham Warwick, Pictures: Manufacturing defects
caused cracks that downed USAF F-15, Flight International, January 11, 2008,
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/11/220799/pictures-manufacturing-defects-caused-cracks-that-downed-usaf-f15.html .
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[30] Carlos Bongioanni, Age takes a toll, Stars and Stripes, February 23, 2004.
[31] Dave Montgomery, F-22 rises as an option after F-15 faults found, Star-Telegram, January 12, 2008, http://www.star-
telegram.com/business/story/405748.html; Amy Butler, Flawed Eagles, Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 14, 2008,
p. 28.
[32]
Ian McPhedran, Australia wants F-22 Raptor for RAAF, The Herald Sun, January 8, 2008,
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23015033-661,00.html ; Siva Govindasamy, Japan asks USA to ease
fighter restrictions, Flight International, May 1, 2007, http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/05/01/213551/japan-asks-usato-ease-fighter-export-restrictions.html .
[33] See author, Japanese Military Technology Advances, International Assessment and Strategy Center, December 6, 2007.
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