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Rick Joe

Rick Joe is a longtime follower of Chinese military developments, with a focus on air and naval platforms.

His content and write ups are derived from cross examination of open source rumors and information. He is active on Reddit and can be found on Twitter.

Posts by Rick Joe
September 11, 2023

Assessing the Chinese Navy’s New 054B Frigate

By Rick Joe
A successor to the PLAN’s workhorse, the 054A, has been rumored for a decade. Now it’s finally here.

August 01, 2023

China’s J-20 Gets Another Upgrade

By Rick Joe
Updates on the 5th-gen fighter’s WS-15 engine, new variants, and fleet size, and what it all means for the future of China’s fighter fleet.
July 06, 2023

KJ-600: The Eye in the Sky for China’s Future Carriers

By Rick Joe
Assessing what we know so far about China’s fixed-wing carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft. 

February 15, 2022

What a 19-Year-Old Study Tells Us About China’s J-20

By Rick Joe
A study from 2003 – now available in exclusive English translation – contains important insights on China’s fifth-generation (and beyond) fighter development.

November 23, 2021

Reviewing China’s New Stealth Fighters

By Rick Joe
What we know about the twin seat J-20 and carrier-borne FC-31 fighter – and a mystery tailless airframe captured in satellite imagery.

October 11, 2021

A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China’s Carrier Airwing Development

By Rick Joe
Despite the Indian Navy's head start in the 1990s, China's carrier capabilities and virtually all carrier-relevant industries have overtaken India's in scale and sophistication.
August 04, 2021

A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China’s Current Carrier and Escort Procurement

By Rick Joe
By 2030, how many carriers and escort ships will China and India each have on hand?

July 03, 2021

A Tale of 2 Navies: Reviewing India and China’s Aircraft Carrier Procurement

By Rick Joe
The 21st century carrier programs in India and China are fascinating for their similarities – and for their differences.

May 20, 2021

China’s J-15 Carrierborne Fighter: Sizing up the Competition

By Rick Joe
Just how capable is the J-15, and where does its future lie?

April 28, 2021

It’s Time to Talk About J-15, China’s First Carrierborne Fighter

By Rick Joe
Rumors of the J-15's unreliability have been greatly exaggerated.

February 18, 2021

The FC-31, China’s ‘Other’ Stealth Fighter

By Rick Joe
A look at the jet with many names – and its carrier-based future.
January 11, 2021

J-20: The Stealth Fighter That Changed PLA Watching Forever

By Rick Joe
A decade after the J-20's maiden flight, a look back at China's fifth generation stealth fighter – and how it changed PLA watching forever.

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