March 23, 1998, the first prototype of J-10, China’s first independently-developed third-generation warplane, made its maiden flight at Wenjiang airport in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The successful development of J-10 was a milestone in the Chinese aviation and space history although little was known about the hardships behind this process. Technological difficulties, capital shortage, ridicule and irony from peers, and lack of recognition in the military...endless obstacles had almost killed the J-10 program midway. As the most legendary fighter in the history of PLAAF, the J-10 family has several modified derivatives today, which have shouldered the great mission of safeguarding our air space in the first 20 years of the 21st century.
