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.

  • ours@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Ah, because if there’s something the World needs right now is more useless wars.

    Thankfully you aren’t in charge of diplomacy and started WWIII because a plane got close to another. But nice armchair “analysis” there.

    • roo@lemmy.one
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      1 year ago

      Self own there. How would a simple jet fight create WWIII? It’s unlikely. Dick move, but unlikely to tip anything more off than a tit for tat that that festers along.

      Sure, it could be on if China wasn’t so grossly inadequate, but they’re not actually professing that much military capability at this point.

      • Star@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        1 year ago

        Good point. How does killing one person lead to a world war? A Duke would like to offer input.

        • roo@lemmy.one
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          1 year ago

          Thought the same thing, but that time was an absolute powderkeg of ballistic egos.

          • R0cket_M00se@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

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

            • roo@lemmy.one
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              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.

          • NOT_RICK@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            People aren’t all that different than they were 100 years ago. You think modern leaders aren’t ego drunk?