Bloggers Release Photos Prior To U.S. Official Visit

Photos and videos of China's J-20 stealth fighter, which the Chinese government says will be a direct rival to the U.S. F-22 Raptor, have been "leaked" from that country just prior to an official visit by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Chinese J-20 YouTube Capture

Some analysts say that the "leak" is likely from an official source, as the Chinese military is usually very secretive about new weapons and systems in development. The Wall Street Journal reports that bloggers in China had very detailed information and photos of the aircraft, which has reportedly conducted high-speed taxi tests but which has not yet been flown.

It was not immediately clear for whom the photos and other information were intended. Some have said they are meant to send a message about China's emergence as a military power to the U.S., while others think Russia or India may be the intended audience.

Chinese J-20 YouTube Capture

What is known is that the images and reports have been allowed to stand, rather than be scrubbed from the Internet by the Chinese government.

The U.S. Defense Department cut funding for the F-22 back in 2009, and Gates said at the time he did not believe China would have a direct competitor for the airplane until at least 2020. The paper reports that U.S. analysts now can foresee China deploying the J-20 as early as 2018.

FMI: www.defense.gov