If you are interested in how the wingtips work , the link has the answers. Enjoy the read. https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/10/02/lambda-wings-moving-wingtips-flying-wings-part-3/
If China manages to cause the US to retreat from the entirety of North Korea with just man-wave tactics then this raises doubts on the US military and not China. Lmfao
Agreed, they cut defense too deeply post WW2, and paid the price.
Realistically the US defense budget needs to be almost double what it is now, in line with Cold War spending levels in the 5-6% of GDP range. Or we will fall behind without a doubt.
In the end we both have substantial nuclear second strike capabilities, it’s the kind of war where you don’t want either side to lose so much it turns into an existential threat. The US will be cautious about striking deep into China and China will be very cautious about hitting US territory directly.
There will be no winners at that point. Just ashes.
Only way could win would be a large scale presence on Taiwan with substantial air and sea and land assets. But Taiwan doesn’t have enough airfields or facilities to support an effective deployment there. Land is too valuable.
Is that not why we have three active CSGs in the Pacific? That’s over 200 fighters already, and it doesn’t count LHAs or deployment from US bases in the region (Guam, Japan, Korea).
200 fighters is a lot, but China allegedly has that many J-20s alone. As the F-35C gets more operational that will help give a qualitative edge. I’m sure the J-20 is somewhat overhyped but I’d take it over a 4th gen like a Super Hornet. We do have bases in Guam and Japan that probably would stay operational, Ukraine has shown that it’s possible to keep air ops going even with lots of attacks on air bases, so I think the fear of them getting knocked out day one may be overhyped unless China decided to lead off with tactical nukes which would be suicidal.
China does have a weakness in subs and ASW, lots of diesel electrics but we could likely make things pretty untenable for their surface fleet with our 50+ SSN’s them -if- we get some warning to move them there in mass.
It’s possible, but there’s one major disadvantage China has: their military is largely untested. Their last serious conflict was over 50 years ago. The PLA is aware of this, and IIRC they’ve even brought in outside advisors, experienced commanders, to help train their troops, but that’s not the same as having direct experience.
The wars the US has fought over the last 25 years did tremendous damage to our image, economy, etc. But one thing they’ve left us with is 3 million active service veterans, many of whom saw combat directly. Our unit leaders are pretty much all vets too, which is just as important.
I’m not saying an engagement between the US and PRC would be a cakewalk, especially so close to their home, but I don’t believe the PLA has the experience to know “exactly what the fuck they’re doing”.
Yes if it goes nuclear… I mean we’d all be dead. Some in a matter of seconds, some in a few months.
And
No bc I don’t think it’ll be an all out war like it was in both world wars.
If America keeps its word with Taiwan, when China invades it (my guess is Feb 2028) America will go and defend. When that happens our air forces, including naval aviation, are bound to meet head to head.
It’s not a light it’s just the angle of the all moving wingtip. You’re just looking at it edge on so it’s at its thinnest from your point of view, and so is reflecting the sun a lot better.
aviationevangelist@reddit
If you are interested in how the wingtips work , the link has the answers. Enjoy the read. https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/10/02/lambda-wings-moving-wingtips-flying-wings-part-3/
NoDoze-@reddit
Sorry, the article didn't answer the question on how they work.
aviationevangelist@reddit
It’s the first 3 paras under All Moving Wingtips.
MrScootini@reddit
If we ever go to war with China. We are screwed. America historically has a tendency to massively underestimate their enemies.
cat_prophecy@reddit
And China has a tendency to over inflate their capabilities.
krutacautious@reddit
Nope. Look at PLA's history
SuperEtenbard@reddit
Human wave attacks in Korea and losing a brief war against Vietnam?
Pirate1641@reddit
If China manages to cause the US to retreat from the entirety of North Korea with just man-wave tactics then this raises doubts on the US military and not China. Lmfao
SuperEtenbard@reddit
Agreed, they cut defense too deeply post WW2, and paid the price.
Realistically the US defense budget needs to be almost double what it is now, in line with Cold War spending levels in the 5-6% of GDP range. Or we will fall behind without a doubt.
Mr-ColdFeet@reddit
MacArthur gives you a thumbs-up.
SuperEtenbard@reddit
Sea of radioactive cobalt.
MrScootini@reddit
Every country does that.
SuperEtenbard@reddit
In the end we both have substantial nuclear second strike capabilities, it’s the kind of war where you don’t want either side to lose so much it turns into an existential threat. The US will be cautious about striking deep into China and China will be very cautious about hitting US territory directly.
There will be no winners at that point. Just ashes.
MrScootini@reddit
Exactly, but i don’t think it’ll be a nuclear war like we think it’ll be. Both countries obviously know that there will be no winners.
It’ll more or less be conventional warfare. In which we would be screwed.
Like as I said in another comment, went we go defend Taiwan, we will loose.
SuperEtenbard@reddit
Only way could win would be a large scale presence on Taiwan with substantial air and sea and land assets. But Taiwan doesn’t have enough airfields or facilities to support an effective deployment there. Land is too valuable.
xrelaht@reddit
Is that not why we have three active CSGs in the Pacific? That’s over 200 fighters already, and it doesn’t count LHAs or deployment from US bases in the region (Guam, Japan, Korea).
SuperEtenbard@reddit
200 fighters is a lot, but China allegedly has that many J-20s alone. As the F-35C gets more operational that will help give a qualitative edge. I’m sure the J-20 is somewhat overhyped but I’d take it over a 4th gen like a Super Hornet. We do have bases in Guam and Japan that probably would stay operational, Ukraine has shown that it’s possible to keep air ops going even with lots of attacks on air bases, so I think the fear of them getting knocked out day one may be overhyped unless China decided to lead off with tactical nukes which would be suicidal.
China does have a weakness in subs and ASW, lots of diesel electrics but we could likely make things pretty untenable for their surface fleet with our 50+ SSN’s them -if- we get some warning to move them there in mass.
xrelaht@reddit
It’s possible, but there’s one major disadvantage China has: their military is largely untested. Their last serious conflict was over 50 years ago. The PLA is aware of this, and IIRC they’ve even brought in outside advisors, experienced commanders, to help train their troops, but that’s not the same as having direct experience.
The wars the US has fought over the last 25 years did tremendous damage to our image, economy, etc. But one thing they’ve left us with is 3 million active service veterans, many of whom saw combat directly. Our unit leaders are pretty much all vets too, which is just as important.
I’m not saying an engagement between the US and PRC would be a cakewalk, especially so close to their home, but I don’t believe the PLA has the experience to know “exactly what the fuck they’re doing”.
Norzon24@reddit
If the word's leading superpowers go to war ofc everyone's fucked, regardless of whether either side over/underestimated the other a little
MrScootini@reddit
Yes and no.
Yes if it goes nuclear… I mean we’d all be dead. Some in a matter of seconds, some in a few months.
And
No bc I don’t think it’ll be an all out war like it was in both world wars.
If America keeps its word with Taiwan, when China invades it (my guess is Feb 2028) America will go and defend. When that happens our air forces, including naval aviation, are bound to meet head to head.
Norzon24@reddit
Even if it doesn't go nuclear, the global trade that underpin our current prosperity will be crippled.
East-Plankton-3877@reddit
No, rather our enimies have a tendency tj massively underestimate america
MrScootini@reddit
No country “under estimates America” Everyone knows that America is a formidable and an experienced force.
We are under estimating china’s ability to conduct warfare. This comment section is kinda proving my point here.
45320@reddit
Here comes the defense experts
waldo--pepper@reddit
Looks like a plane to me.
I am struck by the near frenzy that sightings this causes.
new_to_edc@reddit
That light on the right wing looks like an Anglerfish.
guardianone-24@reddit
It’s not a light it’s just the angle of the all moving wingtip. You’re just looking at it edge on so it’s at its thinnest from your point of view, and so is reflecting the sun a lot better.