Chinese researchers say missile lidar model can spot US F-35 at up to 61.5km
Por Chao Kong — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Science China Science Chinese researchers say missile lidar model can spot US F-35 at up to 61.5km
Chinese air force supplier models airborne single-photon lidar to spot stealth fighters without triggering radar or heat sensors
3 -MIN READ 3 -MIN Listen
Chao Kong in Beijing Published: 6:43pm, 30 Sep 2026
A computer simulation developed by Chinese researchers suggests that a missile-borne system with the latest light detection and ranging system, or lidar, could detect and track an F-35 stealth fighter at up to 61.5km (38 miles) at night.
The theoretical model developed by a leading Chinese air force missile supplier says that under ideal conditions, the claimed range could have implications for the F-35’s ability to survive while facing China’s stealth fighters.
But one analyst is sceptical that the development would allow the user to find a stealth target in a vast sky with a narrow laser beam.
China’s J-10C fighter jet showcased at Singapore Airshow
In air-to-air combat, the F-35 can carry short-range missiles, such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder, which has a reported range of about 16km to 32km and uses an imaging infrared seeker.
Select Voice Select Speed 0.8x 0.9x 1.0x 1.1x 1.2x 1.5x 1.75x 00:00 00:00 1x AI-generated voice
