Beijing (Agencies): A leading Chinese warplane designer has proposed a revolutionary vision for aircraft development, likening the process to the rapid evolution of mobile phones. The idea, if realized, could mark a paradigm shift in military aviation, enabling faster innovation and adaptability.
Sun Cong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of the J-15 carrier-borne fighter jet, shared his vision during a recent aviation and aerospace medicine forum, as reported by China Central Television (CCTV).
“Our development cycles are too lengthy now. Can we make aircraft like mobile phones? This is a dream of ours for the future,” Sun stated, emphasizing the need to streamline and accelerate the research and development process for fighter jets.
Currently, new mobile phones are launched annually, while warplane development often takes years or even decades. Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, described Sun’s remarks as visionary, suggesting that such a shift would require overcoming significant technological and systemic challenges.
Achieving this goal would involve creating highly standardized interfaces and open structures for aircraft systems, Wang explained. This approach would allow for plug-and-play upgrades and seamless integration of new technologies, resulting in rapid, flexible iterations. “It points to a full-system rapid, flexible iteration,” Wang said, adding that this could fundamentally transform traditional aircraft development.
Some elements of this concept are already being implemented in the development of China’s advanced J-20 stealth fighter jet. According to Dong Jun, a J-20 pilot, while the jet’s exterior remains largely unchanged, its core functions are continuously upgraded to improve performance.
The vision of “making aircraft like mobile phones” reflects China’s broader ambitions to enhance its military capabilities and innovation in aviation technology. If successful, it could redefine global standards for aircraft development and deployment.