Rapid Fire 2011-01-13: First Flight Test for Chinese J-20

* Chinese President Hu Jintao confirms 1st flight test of J-20 stealth fighter jet. The debate about it is robust. Some analyses see it as a serious threat to the entire American concept of operations; effectively, a Chinese FB-22. Others point out the ancillary components required to be really effective, and David Axe has a good roundup and a full Diplomat article that calls it “over hyped.” Then, there’s the Russian view… * ITT’s decision to split into 3 companies was spurred by expected slowdown in defense segment. * South Korea wants to expand purchases of UAVs, missiles, radar, and missile defense systems from Israel, according to Haaretz.com. Our readers have seen that trend coming… * Israel’s IAI rumored to be working with India on an unmanned Dhruv helicopter. * India’s 3rd IL-76 Phalcon AWACS plane will have some extra features, courtesy of IAI… * EADS CEO Louis Gallois tells press he expects the company to return to profitability next year. * The US Army’s Umatilla chemical depot gets Oregon state OK to increase incineration of chemical mustard agent to 100% of capacity, up from a previous 75% level. * USAF will continue using the F-4 Phantom II fighter, in […]