A Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of an American B-52 bomber flying over the South China Sea, nearly causing an accident, the U.S. military says, underscoring the potential for a mishap as both countries vie for influence in the region.

A Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of an American B-52 bomber flying over the South China Sea, nearly causing an accident, the U.S. military said, underscoring the potential for a mishap as both countries vie for influence in the region.

In the night intercept, the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine fighter closed on the U.S. Air Force plane at an “uncontrolled excessive speed, flying below, in front of, and within 10 feet of the B-52, putting both aircraft in danger of a collision,” the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement released late Thursday.

“We are concerned this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision,” the military said.

  • R0cket_M00seEnglish
    8•1 year ago

    Right, cause that’s not the case with the current geopolitical situation or anything. Except with nukes.

    • @rooEnglish
      1•1 year ago

      There has to be an amount of disbelief with the proficiency of rocket propelled delivery at this point. Laser weaponry and current defence solutions would have to give you pause in believing you could mount a nuclear war against the US without becoming the nuclear wasteland yourself. And it requires the unnerving belief allies will equally join the attempt and have proficient weaponry.

      China’s going to look at the odds and think fuck that IMO.