**Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Key Insights for Remote Workers**

1.

**Definition & Appeal**:
A digital nomad is someone whose work lets them be location-independent, often requiring only a laptop and internet.

The appeal is living and working from different parts of the world, experiencing diverse cultures, and avoiding the traditional office routine—enabling personal growth through travel and self-discovery.

**Day-to-Day Reality & Preparation**:
Success as a digital nomad demands self-discipline and routines.

Sticking to consistent schedules, prioritizing time management, and integrating regular breaks are crucial to prevent burnout.

Balancing work with exploring new places or, for some, even studying, can be challenging but rewarding with good planning.

**Types of Work That Suit Nomadism**:
Most suited are jobs that don’t require physical presence, strict hours, or constant supervision—like freelance design, writing, programming, teaching online, consulting, and remote roles in marketing or tech.

It’s important to choose remote work aligned with your interests and study backgrounds for sustainability and motivation.

**Tools of the Trade**:
A stable internet is non-negotiable.

Solutions include international WiFi hotspots or phone tethering—essential for reliable connectivity.

Must-have gear includes quality earbuds with long battery life, a portable wireless mouse, and ergonomic mobile office setups to stay productive anywhere.

**Visa and Legal Considerations**:
Many countries now issue special digital nomad visas, usually permitting work and stays of several months, but not permanent residency.

Popular options include Croatia, Portugal, Estonia, and Mexico.

Before relocating, nomads should research visa regulations, length of stay, and tax implications.

Key challenges involve dealing with isolation, adapting to new environments, maintaining productivity, and navigating visa/time zone issues.

**Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Key Insights for Remote Workers**

1.

Title:

Content: Here’s How You Can Do Good As A Digital Nomad

by Femina Travel | Sep 29, 2023, 20:38 IST

Being a digital nomad can be great for the remote worker but, with the right attitude, you can do good for others too

Not everyone loves digital nomads. Although so many countries across the world now offer special visas for digital nomads (Dubai, Colombia,  Estonia, Bermuda, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Cayman Islands, to name just a few), they often get a bad rap from local residents. They believe that digital nomads push housing costs higher and out of reach of the locals, and strain the community by just ‘dropping’ into places rather than trying to fit into the fabric of society at their new temporary homes. It is an undeniable fact, however, that foreign workers can infuse a financial boost into the arm of the host country, and it works out well for them because living costs are usually lower than in their home country.

How can digital nomads do good rather than spark suspicion in their new home areas? Here are simple ways to consider if you want your impact to be positive, and your being there actually being good for the local community:

  • Spend Money To Benefit Local Businesses

Prioritise shopping in smaller local shops rather than at big supermarkets, eat in non-touristy restaurants alongside locals, and tip delivery and cleaning people generously.

  • Engage In An Intellectual Exchange

If you have transferable skills as part of your job description, it would be great to help locals in whatever capacity you can. A healthy exchange of ideas can spur local entrepreneurship and potentially improve the lives of the people amid whom you live.

  • Volunteer In Your Free Time

There’s no better way to get under the skin of a new destination – here, your new home for a period of time – than by offering the help you can. Perhaps you could offer to help local kids with spoken English, or give some time to a nearby soup kitchen.

  • Be Social

Don’t spend all your time working in your home. The point of working away from home is that you live in another place. Go out and immerse yourself in life outside; once your neighbours and people in the locality realise that you’re friendly, they, too, will get more used to you and less resentful of your presence in their midst. Keeping to yourself is an invitation to be isolated. Don’t let your reticence be misinterpreted as arrogance. Embrace your new temporary home country and, in time,  you will go a long way in overturning suspicions against digital nomads.

Images: Shutterstock

Also Read: The Definitive Guide To Choosing A Hostel For Your Next Trip

Next Story

**Definition & Appeal**:
A digital nomad is someone whose work lets them be location-independent, often requiring only a laptop and internet.

What is driving the digital nomad lifestyle?

The appeal is living and working from different parts of the world, experiencing diverse cultures, and avoiding the traditional office routine—enabling personal growth through travel and self-discovery.

Title:

Content:   • Your one stop for college news and resources!
Featured, Features, Study Abroad

A Guide for College Students Embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle

A digital nomad is someone who works remotely and travels often. Their work doesn’t require them to report to an office or adhere to a strict schedule. Instead, they can work anywhere in the world, doing the job they love.

It’s no wonder this lifestyle is appealing more to college students. They can travel the world while studying and working abroad. That said, being a college student and a digital nomad is a challenge. It’s not like a vacation where all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself.

You have to learn how to balance the fun of traveling with work and school commitments. The following tips will help you do just that.

Understand What the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Will Be Like

You have to understand what the digital nomad lifestyle will be like if you want it to work out. You can assess whether this life is for you, and better prepare for it if you decide that it is.

Here are some critical points to consider about the digital nomad lifestyle:

  • A work-life balance is a must
  • Traveling often can be exhausting
  • You must ensure access to healthcare
  • You need a plan for financial stability
  • You’ll have to adapt to new cultures and languages
  • Knowing visa requirements and other legal requirements is essential
  • You might experience homesickness, especially if you go international
  • Balancing school with work and life in a new place is a big commitment

Dig into these factors and research all you’ll have to do and give up to be a digital nomad. Then, you can make an informed decision about moving forward.

Master Time Management

You’ll have to take your time management up a few notches if you want to be a digital nomad.

It’s one thing to balance life and school. It’s another to balance life, school, traveling, and potentially, work. You must learn how to divide your days so that you pay each of these things the attention they need. In addition, time management will ensure you don’t burn out.

Start with a routine to build some consistency into your days. Wake up at the same time regardless of your schedule and get ready for your days the same way.

You can establish priority tasks the night before, like your classes, if you’re working, and when you’ll study. Set aside time for breaks, meals, and leisure time as well. Building these activities into your schedule will ensure you actually do them.

Attach times to each task and activity. For example, you have classes from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Next, you’ll have lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. After that, you have work from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Then, you’ll study from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the rest of the night is yours.

Manage your time wisely and you can achieve everything you set out for each day.

Learn How to Stay Productive

One of the biggest challenges digital nomads run into is staying productive. All of the fun activities you can do when you travel to a new place can be distracting. It might be hard to stay motivated when you’re homesick. Technical and logistical issues can impact your productivity as well.

So, learning how to maintain peak productivity while studying and working on the road is essential.

Adhering to the routine we mentioned above will help keep you focused. Eliminate distractions while working by turning your phone on Do Not Disturb and muting social media apps. Create a designated workspace. You could also incentivize productivity by promising yourself a fun activity after you complete your work.

Secure your tech setup as well to maintain optimal productivity. Make sure you have the basics, like a good laptop set up with the proper work and school software and noise-canceling headphones.

Another crucial tool to have is a mobile hotspot. A hotspot ensures you can connect to the internet wirelessly on your mobile devices from virtually anywhere. This will come in handy when you travel internationally or to places with spotty internet connections. No matter where you are, you can still access your studies and any work you’re doing online.

Equip yourself with the right tools and techniques to stay productive as a digital nomad.

Choose Work That Aligns With Your Studies and Interests

Digital nomads are known to take many different directions with their work. You have options and can easily make a living while studying and traveling abroad. The key is ensuring the work you do doesn’t distract from your education and pull you away from who you are.

You’ll have a much better experience as a digital nomad if you choose work that aligns with your studies and interests. Rather than taking the barista job at the local cafe, work with your school to see if there are any work-study opportunities where you’re traveling.

You can also take the job search into your own hands. Search for job openings before you head to your destination through online job boards. Ask for referrals from fellow students.

Consider fully remote positions as well. There are many work-from-home jobs available that can accommodate a college student’s digital nomad lifestyle, such as being a tutor or a content writer for subjects related to your major.

Whatever work you decide to do, make sure it doesn’t take away from your studies and aligns with who you are and what you want to be.

Conclusion

Many college students are attracted to the digital nomad lifestyle because it allows them to travel freely while studying and working where they want to. As enticing as this life is, being a digital nomad isn’t void of challenges.

Make sure you understand what you’re getting into, master time management, learn to stay productive, and choose work that aligns with your studies and interests to give yourself a real chance at a successful digital nomad life.

SEE ALSO: How to Choose the Right Student Housing in the U.S.

Previous ArticleNext Article

What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

Adaptablity to new cultures and language

Title:

Content: How to setup a mobile office and live the life of a nomad

The first step towards becoming a digital nomad!
Mobile office essentials

Amazon

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic all but accelerated the transition to the remote work lifestyle, and now that the pandemic has just about subsided, most of us have become used to the work-from-home routine. As a matter of fact, many full-time work-from-home professionals have grown to love this way of life since it affords them more time with family members and an opportunity to travel while they work.

The prospect of being a digital nomad is a pretty enthralling one. Exploring different destinations while also managing your work routine is a luxury only afforded to a few. However, a nomadic work lifestyle isn't all about merry-making and enjoying destinations. There needs to be a proper setup that allows you to ensure your travel lifestyle doesn't affect your work and productivity.

That's precisely why having a mobile office with the right gadgets in your kit is a necessity that cannot be overlooked. Here's taking a peek at some of the most essential gadgets that need to make it to your working kit if you aspire to be a digital nomad.

1. A lightweight laptop

Microsoft Surface 4 Pro

The Microsoft Surface 4 Pro checks all the boxes as the perfect travel laptop. It's a lightweight, compact tablet that offers you the powers of a laptop. You can also use a stylus pen for more comfortable and convenient navigation.

The device in which all things start and come to an end; you simply can't set up without one. If you're looking for a laptop that suits a nomadic lifestyle, the weight and compactness of the device carry as much importance as your configurational choices.

For this specific purpose, we'd recommend going with the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4. It weighs only 2.79 lbs - the ideal weight to go for if you're a frequent traveler. Also, the screen size is perfect, as it contributes massively to the overall size of the laptop. Also, you can use this as a tablet with a stylus pen for even more convenience.

2. A WiFi hotspot

GlocalMe U3 WiFi Hotspot

The GlocalMe Wifi Hotspot boasts a 3000mAh battery life along with 13 hours of use. It can be used in over 140 countries and provides and adds tremendous stability to your work by providing a stable internet connection during travel. Also, you need not pay any roaming fees to use this hotspot.

The internet is the next most important thing to consider after a laptop. A WiFi hotspot goes a long way in delivering internet at impressive speed so you can focus on work without any hassle. Now, the best solution would be to use the hotspot from your phone. Why spend on a device when you can do it from a phone that you already have?

Well, a wireless WiFi hotspot adds more convenience to your travel. You don't need a SIM card for it, and the device can also deliver fast internet by smartly selecting a fast network. Secondly, you're not paying for any roaming charges; it's a pay-as-you-go WiFi facility. Also, wireless WiFi hotspots have advanced security features, so rest assured your data is in safe hands! We recommend going for the GlocalMe U3 Mobile Wireless Hotspot if you decide on getting one.

3. A USB charging station

Baseus PowerCombo USB-C Charger

The Baseus PowerCombo can charge up to 6 devices simultaneously. It's also compatible with a host of laptops, phones, and tablets, so you can have all the charging requirements in one place. Also, it offers overpower protection.

A power station is a basic need for any digital nomad who wishes to save desk space. It's a one-size-fits-all solution that can power up multiple tech devices all at once. Be it a tablet, laptop, or phone — a multiport charging station will leave you in awe in terms of the convenience it brings to your life.

The Baseus PowerCombo USB-C charging station is a great choice at a reasonable price tag that can charge all your devices simultaneously. It'll ensure you don't need to clean up the clutter of tangled wires around your desk — say goodbye to tangled wires affecting your productivity when you have this device at your aid!

4. A work desk

Worky Home Office

The Home Office desk is an innovative solution to clearing clutter on a desk and embracing an organized approach to work. Apart from holding your stationery items and laptop, it also offers desk storage for some more. There are many other exciting features that make it a must-have for any nomad or a frequent traveler.

What if we tell you it's possible to carry your entire office setup in a bag? When we say 'work desk,' the usual laptop elevator lap desk comes to our mind. But that'd be too bulky to carry when you're traveling. After all, convenient travel is all about carrying stuff that doesn't take up a lot of space, and hence, traditional lap desks don't make the cut here.

Instead, this innovative Home Office portable workstation by Worky is all you need to have with you when setting out for your next workstation. It can hold a laptop and stationery items and also comes with built-in charging ports. There's also a video conferencing light that is useful for illuminating your workspace during meetings.

The most striking feature here is you can store all of these in the briefcase and set out for your next destination without having to worry about packing each item separately. It's lightweight and portable enough, so you can easily carry it during travel.

5. Noise-cancelling headphones

Beats Studio Earbuds

The Beats Studio buds offer a powerful and balanced sound output. They're a great choice to go for if you're looking for earbuds that'll last for a long time and provide quality output. The lightweight and compact design of the earbuds means you won't need to compromise on your backpack storage space. Also, they are available in five different colors.

Work-from-home, as much as it does allow you to explore new places, you simply cannot cut off contact with your colleagues. Collaborations are important, and a pair of the correct noise-canceling headphones can help you have smooth and seamless communication with them. You can also get a pair of headphones in this case, but we'd specifically recommend earbuds to align more with the objective of using products that take up minimal space in your luggage.

The Beats Studio earbuds deliver a powerful and well-balanced sound and also come with two distinct listening modes: Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. In terms of performance, these earbuds offer up to 8 hours of use. They come with a charging case, so your earbuds will keep on charging when you store them.

What's more, the Beats Studio earbuds are also IPX4 sweat and water-resistant. You can connect them to your laptop via Bluetooth. All in all, they're a great choice if you're looking for quality earbuds that ooze quality and can last for a long time.

6. A Portable wireless mouse

FENIFOX Flat Wireless Mouse

An ultra-thin and slim wireless mouse that's easy to carry anywhere. It also takes up very little safe in contrast to the traditional mouse and is very easy to operate. . Also, it comes with a low-decibel button that is suitable for coffee shops, libraries, and other occasions.

A portable wireless mouse can allow you to navigate easily if you're uncomfortable using the laptop mousepad. In this case, we would recommend going for the FENIFOX slim and portable wireless mouse.

It's a pretty compact and lightweight mouse that looks so thin you'd feel as if it's very much aligned with the surface. It boasts compatibility with a wide array of devices and is an environment-friendly and energy-saving device.

SHOW COMMENT (1)
This is a promotional article about one of Interesting Engineering's partners. By shopping with us, you not only get the materials you need, but you’re also supporting our website.

**Day-to-Day Reality & Preparation**:
Success as a digital nomad demands self-discipline and routines.

Sticking to consistent schedules, prioritizing time management, and integrating regular breaks are crucial to prevent burnout.

What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

Balancing work with exploring new places or, for some, even studying, can be challenging but rewarding with good planning.

What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

balancing possible education with work
work-life balance

**Types of Work That Suit Nomadism**:
Most suited are jobs that don’t require physical presence, strict hours, or constant supervision—like freelance design, writing, programming, teaching online, consulting, and remote roles in marketing or tech.

What is driving the digital nomad lifestyle?

What non-IT jobs can digital nomads conduct?

It’s important to choose remote work aligned with your interests and study backgrounds for sustainability and motivation.

What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

**Tools of the Trade**:
A stable internet is non-negotiable.

What is driving the digital nomad lifestyle?

What issues could affect working remotely?

Why is Cape Town considered the 'capital of digital nomads' of Africa?

Solutions include international WiFi hotspots or phone tethering—essential for reliable connectivity.

What issues could affect working remotely?

Why is Cape Town considered the 'capital of digital nomads' of Africa?

Must-have gear includes quality earbuds with long battery life, a portable wireless mouse, and ergonomic mobile office setups to stay productive anywhere.

What issues could affect working remotely?

**Visa and Legal Considerations**:
Many countries now issue special digital nomad visas, usually permitting work and stays of several months, but not permanent residency.

Title:

Content: Thousands of digital nomads staying in Croatia, longer stay problematic

NEWS 12.02.2023 15:31

Croatia, a country with a dwindling population, has become a hot destination for digital nomads - mostly young, highly educated and rich foreigners. Thousands of them are staying in the country, but the small number of those wishing to stay longer have to be resourceful as the law does not allow a stay of more than one year.

The global number of digital nomads is estimated at around 35 million. According to some estimates, that number is expected to reach one billion by 2035.

Croatia ranks high on the list of digital nomads’ favourite destinations. Even though data vary, depending on the source of information, a survey conducted by the Nomad List platform shows Croatia is globally the most attractive destination for digital nomads.

Croatia is a small country but what it offers is diverse so it attracts different groups of digital nomads, says Jan de Jong, founder of the Digital Nomads Croatia association.

The Dutch, who lives in Croatia, in 2020 launched amendment of the relevant laws owing to which Croatia introduced, as one of the first European countries to do so, a visa for digital nomads, enabling citizens of third countries to stay in the country for up to one year.

10,000 digital nomads staying in Croatia on a monthly basis

De Jong notes that one of the main reasons why digital nomads come to Croatia, besides infrastructure, which mostly includes the need for a good internet connection and an established community of digital nomads, is the lifestyle Croatia offers, which, in an addition to everything else, is very affordable.

That lifestyle seems to be very affordable to digital nomads, as an average digital nomad makes around €6,500 a month, according to Nomad List.

At the end of January 2023, there were 595 valid visas for digital nomads in Croatia, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior, however, that figure is much below the actual number of digital nomads staying in Croatia because it refers only to third-country citizens staying here for more than three months.

To get a complete picture of the situation, one should take into account EU citizens, who move freely throughout EU territory, including Croatia, without time limitations, as well as the large number of digital nomads from third countries staying in Croatia for less than a month.

The Ministry of the Interior says that it does not keep a record of the latter two categories of digital nomads, so their number can only be estimated.

Judging by trends for individual cities, including Zadar, Split and Zagreb, on the Nomad List platform, de Jong concludes that roughly 5,000 digital nomads arrive in Croatia a month. If every digital nomad is estimated to stay in Croatia for two months, one can say that around 10,000 digital nomads are staying in Croatia every month.

Meanwhile, after Croatia was one of the first European countries to introduce visas for digital nomads, other European countries have followed suit.

In addition to the basic requirements, such as remote work or self-employment and a certain minimum monthly income, which in Croatia amounts to €2,300, while in Iceland it is more than €6,000 – the visa for digital nomads also regulates the longest allowed stay in the country.

Croatia is one of the countries with more restrictive rules because if a digital nomad likes the country and wants to stay for more than a year, they must leave the country for at least six months in order to be able to apply for a visa again.

On the other hand, in other European countries the visa can mostly be extended, depending on the country, for example, in the Czech Republic a digital nomad visa can be extended for a period of three years in total.

Purpose of visa country’s tourist promotion

Even though de Jong says that the purpose of the visa for digital nomads was never to allow permanent stays, he notes that a certain number of digital nomads contact his association looking for advice on what to do if they want to stay in the country.

Asked if there is a legal way to extend the visa, the Ministry of the Interior says that that option does not exist and that it cannot even be extended with a permit for extended tourist stay.

The ministry explains this with the fact that the sole purpose of visas for digital nomads was “Croatia’s tourism promotion.”

One of those who got caught in that legal limbo is Steve Tsentserensky, a copywriter from Ohio, USA, who was among the first digital nomads to get a visa in Croatia.

During his six-month stay in Zagreb, he fell so much in love with the city that he decided to return for a longer period of time.

Asked how he would do that, because the law restricts his stay, unless he marries a Croat, establishes a company or finds employment, he says that he will do what is feasible to regulate his stay and probably again apply for a visa for digital nomads.

He stresses, however, that it would be good if the visa could be extended for a longer period of time, without applicants having to leave the country because they all have the possibility to reapply after the expiry of the six-month period, and the conditions are completely the same.

Another digital nomad, a woman from the USA, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that after the expiry of her visa she did not want to leave the country and that, even though she kept the same job for which she receives a US salary, she found the solution in a fictitious employment contract.

Somebody offered me a work permit, she says cautiously. She considered other ways as well, such as starting a business, and was also advised to marry, but she believes that with the work permit she has also found a way to contribute to the community she lives in by paying taxes, because as a digital nomad she does not have to do it.

Both Americans like the relaxed lifestyle of Zagreb residents, which is why they want to stay for some time.

They did not say how long, but the woman said that she is actively learning Croatian and not thinking about leaving the country.

When they stay longer, they become immigrants

Caroline Hornstein-Tomic, a researcher at the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, says that digital nomads are usually highly educated people, mostly in their 30s, who are also excellent consumers.

“If they decide to stay longer, they become a kind of immigrants,” she says and adds that there is still no research in Croatia on how digital nomads impact local communities, but that that impact certainly exists.

They boost tourism as well as other sectors of the economy, they have encouraged the development of infrastructure and the establishment of numerous hubs, as well as services that meet their need to get along in the new country, she says.

Hornstein-Tomic says that she has interviewed some of the nomads who have been staying on Dalmatian islands, and that she has heard about their positive experiences with the local community.

“Those who have decided to stay longer are interested in local jobs or business development, and they also do volunteer work, so apart from financial resources, they also have knowledge that they like to share,” says Hornstein-Tomic.

Commenting on the demographic potential of that group, de Jong says that digital nomads follow new trends and no longer go to countries where they have better-paying jobs but rather those where they like the lifestyle, bringing their well-paid jobs with them.

He thinks that the current remote work revolution will continue and that a reversal of the trend is not likely.

That trend can be the biggest opportunity for Croatia, from where around half a million people have emigrated over the past ten years looking for better-paying jobs, says de Jong, who has lived in Croatia for the past 16 years.

Komentari

Vaš komentar

What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

Knowledge of visa and other legal requirements

What are the criteria of the top 20 digital nomad locations?

A digital nomad visa program or the equivalent

Popular options include Croatia, Portugal, Estonia, and Mexico.

Before relocating, nomads should research visa regulations, length of stay, and tax implications.

What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

Knowledge of visa and other legal requirements

Key challenges involve dealing with isolation, adapting to new environments, maintaining productivity, and navigating visa/time zone issues.

What negative feelings arose when companies moved to a completely remote work structure?

Title:

Content: This Digital Nomad Couple Sold Everything to Travel the World in a Sailboat—Here’s What They’ve Learned About Life, Goal Setting and Relationships

Her name is Polar Seal. She’s 40 feet long, bright white with a thin blue stripe down each side and a monochromatic logo of a seal at the helm.

To the sailing community, she’s a 2007 Beneteau Oceanis 40 with a two-cabin layout. To Ryan Ellison and Sophie Darsy (@ryan_and_sophie_sailing), she’s a vehicle to carry them across the Atlantic (for the third time); she’s an office for their respective careers; but most importantly, she’s been home for nearly four years. They are what’s known as “liveaboards,” a breed of digital nomad on the water, with Sophie managing their digital brand, Ryan & Sophie Sailing, while Ryan works as a business development consultant.

Before officially shoving off in 2018, Ellison and Darsy led what some might call typical lives. They met on Tinder in 2015 while living in Sweden as expats: Ellison, an aviation sales director from Des Moines, Iowa, and Darsy, a human resources systems specialist from Paris. They quickly connected over a shared love of adventure and endurance sports.

Three months later, while on his last long training run before the ASICS Stockholm Marathon, Ellison had a run-in with a Canadian goose trying to protect her ducklings. The geese were unharmed, but Ellison was left with a dislocated shoulder and several broken bones. Stuck inside, he did what most do in that situation: get lost in the depths of the internet. He stumbled on a story about Matt and Jessica Johnson, an American couple who sold everything to buy a sailboat and travel the world with their cat.

The story lit a spark for the couple, though they had no experience sailing. After several months of research, they attended a two-week sailing course in Gibraltar before selling Darsy’s apartment and buying Polar Seal in March 2016.

“On my second date with Sophie, I told her I wanted to own a yacht someday,” Ellison says. “But my view of a yacht was a rich person’s motorboat, and I did not ever imagine I would own a small sailboat that we would live on together and go around the world.”

Now, nearly four years, 14 countries and a global pandemic later, they have no plans to quit.

Ellison and Darsy learned that the most challenging (and rewarding) parts of being liveaboards in a relationship had little to do with the logistics of sailing and a lot more to do with life, interpersonal dynamics and developing self-awareness in roughly 350 square feet of space. These are five of those lessons.

Your speed is the right speed

Ellison and Darsy purchased Polar Seal in March 2016, but they didn’t hit the waters full time until June 2018. They spent two admittedly short Swedish sailing seasons preparing for the inevitable roadblocks and learning how to co-captain on their own.

“There is no instructor, and the sail needs to go up and it’s stuck, and you’re in the middle of a channel, and the helm gets stuck, so you’re stuck in a spinning motion in the middle of a channel,” Darsy says. “There’s always going to be moments when you don’t have the knowledge or experience you need to handle a situation, and you have to figure it out. There are no shortcuts for that.”

Methodically, they took each step with time to allow dust to settle and not get caught up in the excitement and newness of the adventure.

“The first two years we owned our boat, we kept it in Stockholm,” Ellison says. “We were still working our jobs and that gave us time to figure out our boat and figure out what we were doing… because we really didn’t know. I’m glad we did that.”

Your relationship will be tested.

Among the many challenges of life aboard a 40-foot sailing boat is the idea that you are never more than a few steps from your significant other. That person is not only your co-captain, but your confidante, your significant other, your only friend for thousands of miles at times. They prepared for that, too.

“Pretty quickly in our relationship, we started seeing [a couple’s counselor],” Darsy says. “There are those moments that you want external help. There should not be any taboo or stigma about going to see a couple’s counselor when you feel stuck on a particular topic.”

The challenge, Ryan says, is not always about the small space, but about sleep deprivation and the other stressors that can wreak havoc on your ability to stay calm. In those moments of frustration, there isn’t anywhere to escape.

“We call it having emotional flexibility,” Darsy says. “Be kind to yourself, and be like OK, I messed up, but also don’t define your relationship by those moments. Those moments happen out of a context that is a little bit bigger than you.”

You will never be fully prepared.

In a video posted on May 22, 2018, Darsy holds up two fistfuls of sticky notes, 15 wooden cooking spoons and a smashed pirate hat. It’s a relatable moment for anyone who’s packed for a multi-week international trip only to remember they probably don’t need five pairs of strappy sandals. But it’s the vulnerability of the video that strikes a chord. With four weeks until their launch date, the couple details the building emotional strain and fear.

“For the first time in my life, I don’t know where I’ll be in one year’s time,” Darsy says in the video. “I’m doing something I’m passionate about, but I don’t know where it’s going to lead me.”

The couple shared a fear of failure. “I’m afraid we’re going to crash the boat,” Ellison says in the video. “I’m afraid that I’m not going to be able to get stuff done for work. I’m afraid we’ll fight and yell and I’ll fail there.”

It’s this kind of behind-the-scenes footage that allows aspiring liveaboards to see what life is really like, but also feel the sense of connection that comes from seeing people go through similar struggles and feelings of self-doubt. Preparedness is important, but its powers are limited.

Whether launching a new business, leaving a toxic job for your mental health or, say, selling everything to live on a boat, the final moments are those most riddled with self-doubt. But the story is told time and time again: After the first step, you often learn that fear outsizes reality.

Ellison and Darsy spent two years imagining and preparing for every worst-case scenario they could imagine. She remembers sitting at her office desk running through scenarios and playing out the possible responses. And there have been scares, like the time they sailed through gale force winds in the Bay of Biscay or a difficult period sailing across the Bermuda Triangle. To Darsy, the video footage from that time serves as a reminder of her growth.

“As you start to understand that the boat can take more than you think, you start to be a lot more confident in both the boat and your ability to deal with whatever it is you encounter,” she says. “That’s the thing, you start gradually getting out of your comfort zone, and going into stronger and stronger seas, and at the end of the day you’re like, It’s not comfortable, but it works.”

Her biggest regret, she says, is not leaving sooner.

Flexibility is everything.

When your life is full of firsts, even the most basic tasks can feel overwhelming. These things, like the cultural norms of grocery store shopping, for example, or navigating the public transportation system can be learned fairly quickly. But when you’re stressed and sleep-deprived, these obstacles can feel insurmountable.

“Every time we go somewhere, it’s somewhere we’ve never been, where we have to learn procedures, where we have to learn grocery shopping, where we have to learn the area,” Darsy says. “Something is going to break on the boat and it will be the first time that thing breaks on the boat, and we have to deal with that. ‘First times’ is our life.”

For many digital nomads, this kind of relentless discomfort quickly leads to burnout and a craving for the familiarity of home. For Ellison and Darsy, the key is extreme flexibility. Sometimes that looks like compromising on how long to stay in one place. Other times, it looks like booking a flight home to spend time apart so both can come back refreshed. In all times, it looks like relieving pressure where you have the means to do so.

“In a normal relationship, you go to work, and you maybe see each other for a little bit in the morning or a couple of hours at night,” Ellison says. “Sophie and I see each other 24/7 and pretty much live on top of each other, so having the ability to take some of the personal space to make your own stories so you can come back refreshed and have new adventures to talk about with your partner is important.”

Community remains crucial.

According to a report funded by MBO Partners, nearly 11 million people identified themselves as digital nomads in 2020. Tracking on this kind of lifestyle is still in the nascent stages, so it’s hard to say how many of those digital nomads live on the water, but for Ellison and Darsy, the sailing community has become the most rewarding part of their lifestyle. For Darsy, having the opportunity to pay it forward to aspiring liveaboards is part of her value system.

“We take the time to answer emails or meet people who want to do what we’re doing, to give information, help, advise or support in some way,” she says. “I think if we all do this, it just becomes a little bit of a better world.”

* * *

With every decision comes the forfeiture of another opportunity. For digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and all those who trade routine and comfort for adventure and flexibility and the excitement of the unknown, the decision is neither easy nor one you make once. Ellison and Darsy thrived in active lifestyles on land, clocking dozens of miles running each week. Now they’re lucky to see that number within a year.

“It is a lifestyle that comes with a high price, and I’m not really talking in terms of the money, because at the end of the day it’s just like living in a house or in an apartment; you’re going to have expenses,” Darsy says. “But it is tiring, exhausting and uncertain. The boat is a fragile piece of equipment, you can lose it from one day to the other if weather comes or you have a fire. But we have seen more of the world than most people will ever see in their lifetime, and we get to explore that world from a new angle.”

In the cabin of Polar Seal are written the couple’s values: adventure, health, faith and cool people. This guidepost for difficult days is simple and specific. In a more traditional lifestyle, the idea of five- and 10-year goals are common. It might be to upgrade the house, have a baby, reach a certain level in your career. Ellison and Darsy have goals, but they’re fluid and don’t really fall into a set time frame. Darsy wants to sail to Japan and maybe upgrade the boat. A permanent place on land for breaks sounds nice, too. They’ll just have to see where the wind takes them.

“I’ve used this line and it may sound cheesy, but we set out to explore the world and I ended up discovering myself as a person,” Ellison says. “Over the past 18 months, that has been more of a journey for me than moving the boat from point A to point B.”

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2022 Issue of SUCCESS magazine. Photos courtesy of Ryan Ellison and Sophie Darsy

Articles


**Summary Report: Export Market of China’s J-10 Fighter Jet**

**Countries Buying or Discussing Purchase:**
- As of early 2024, **Pakistan** is the only confirmed export customer for the J-10.

In March 2022, Pakistan officially inducted the J-10CE "Vigorous Dragon," with an initial batch of 25 aircraft and prospects for follow-on orders.

The sale was significant—seen as a direct response to India’s acquisition of the Dassault Rafale.

- No other country has conclusively finalized deals for the J-10 by the public record, although there have been **rumors about potential interest from countries such as Iran, Egypt, and some African nations**.

However, no concrete contracts have been announced by these states.

**Buyer Feedback:**
- **Pakistani public statements** express satisfaction.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) lauds the J-10CE for its modern avionics, multi-role flexibility, and robust armament options.

The J-10CE filled perceived capability gaps, including advanced radar and BVR missile integration, balancing against India’s Rafale jets.

- PAF’s decision to induct the jet after rigorous evaluations indicates confidence in performance and reliability, though no combat experience is available yet for export variants.

Pakistani pilots and officials have praised its maneuverability and “4.5 generation” capabilities, but independent operational data is limited.

**Media & Commentator Evaluations:**
- Chinese official outlets (e.g., CCTV, Global Times) heavily promote the J-10’s technological upgrades (e.g., indigenous WS-10 engines, advanced radar, electronic warfare).

They highlight its thrust-vectoring and versatility amid ongoing PLA modernization.

- **International/independent defense analysts** have mixed views:
  - Some note the *J-10 has matured significantly since its introduction*, with avionics and weapons that are “comparable to late-4th generation fighters” but not at true 5th-gen parity with F-35 or Rafale.

**Summary Report: Export Market of China’s J-10 Fighter Jet**

**Countries Buying or Discussing Purchase:**
- As of early 2024, **Pakistan** is the only confirmed export customer for the J-10.

Title:

Content: What's new

India’s AMCA ‘Stealth Fighters’ Enter Production Stage, How Does It Jet Stack-Up Against China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon?

beijingwalker

ELITE MEMBER
Nov 4, 2011
44,900
-5
88,194
Country
Location
India’s AMCA ‘Stealth Fighters’ Enter Production Stage, How Does It Jet Stack-Up Against China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon?

BySakshi Tiwari

March 21, 2022

The fifth-generation J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ is a prized possession of the Chinese PLA Air Force. With India’s prototype of AMCA going into production, will the Chinese stealth fighters have a potential challenger right across the border?

The Chengdu J-20 is a single-seat, multi-role stealth fighter that serves as a symbol of China’s growing air power as the plane has been featured prominently in military parades and air shows across the country.

Last year, the J-20 reportedly entered mass production after replacing the Russian AL-31F Turbofan engine with a domestically built WS-10. According to Chinese plans, the current WS-10C engine is further to be replaced by the latest and more advanced WS-15.

Chinese jets have traditionally been powered by Russian-made engines. China has long sought to develop its own engine and gain maximum flexibility, freeing itself from the constraints imposed by Russian engines. The successful integration of WS-15 on J-20s could be the next big breakthrough in self-sufficiency for China.

China’s next-generation turbofan engine, the WS-15, which is to dramatically boost the performance of the J-20 stealth fighter jet, has completed rigorous testing.

The WS-15 engine has undergone several tests, according to China Central Television (CCTV), after the WS-10, China’s first independently developed high performance, high thrust turbofan engine with afterburner, was installed on fighter jets such as the J-10, J-11, and J-20 since 2016.

The WS-15 has a low bypass ratio and is capable of thrust vector control, according to CCTV. It was developed for fifth-generation heavy and medium fighter jets. The J-20s were supposed to be integrated with the WS-15, but due to test failures, China decided to stick to the WS-10C.

The Chinese military now has a fleet of roughly 50 J-20s. New J-20s will be equipped with the WS-15 engine, said a report of South China Morning Post.

China has been relentlessly working to close the gap with the US Air Force and the upgrades that it is carrying out to the WS-10 engines are aimed at challenging the F-22 Raptors of the US.

This year, China will begin upgrading the J-20 engines by incorporating thrust vectoring technology to get it closer to the performance of the American F-22 Raptor, as previously reported by EurAsian Times.

File Image: J-20
The J-20 has also often been compared with another fifth-generation fighter Aircraft in the US arsenal, the F-35. China is reportedly on track to increase the production of its J-20 aircraft. This was perhaps in response to the American plan to field more than 2,000 F-35 stealth jets across its three armed services, besides Japan’s multibillion-dollar F-35 acquisition.

China had dispatched J-20s to air bases in Xinjiang following a bloody encounter with Indian forces at Galwan in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

India’s AMCA Warplane

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently announced the proverbial “metal cutting” for the first prototype of the country’s next-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

The maiden flight of the AMCA is scheduled for 2024-25, with serial production beginning in 2030, EurAsian Times had reported.

According to reports, the Indian Air Force has committed to 40 AMCA Mk-1 fighters, as well as at least 100 Mk-2 variants and some unmanned aircraft. Like the Chinese J-20, the stealthy AMCA is also going to have ‘super cruise’ capabilities.

With AMCA, India will enter the exclusive club of countries with fifth-generation stealth warplanes. So far, the US (F-35 and F-22 Raptors), Russia (Su-57), and China (J-20) have built such fighters.

An AMCA model displayed during Aero India 2021 (Wikimedia Commons)
Although it is unknown how the AMCA, which is yet to be manufactured, will exactly compete with the Chinese J-20,

According to Aeronautical Development Agency chief Girish Deodhare, the AMCA will be available in stealth and non-stealth variants and will be produced in two stages: an AMCA MK1 with an existing GE414 afterburning turbofan engine that powers the LCA Tejas, and an AMCA Mk2 with a new, more powerful engine that will be developed in collaboration with a foreign player.

India and France are now reportedly close to reaching an agreement for the joint development of a 125KN engine that will power AMCA. The deal is expected to be signed in the near future.

Some experts have speculated that the Indian Air Force would model its futuristic aircraft AMCA on the American F-35. If true, this could ensure greater interoperability between the Indian and US Air Forces and could come as a massive headache for the PLAAF.

AMCA will be a single-seat all-weather swing-role stealth fighter jet with twin turbofan engines. It will be capable of a wide range of operations, including air superiority, ground strikes, enemy air defense suppression, and electronic warfare. China is reportedly working on a two-seat variant of the J-20.

AMCA is designed for super-cruise capability and a reduced radar cross-section. Both these features that the AMCA strives to include are already present in the J-20 Mighty Dragon. Further, J-20 took its first flight a decade ago and was inducted in 2017 whereas the AMCA is yet to see the light of the day.

The 20-ton AMCA fighter would be able to carry one-and-a-half tons of armament in internal weapon bays in its stealth mode. The non-stealth variant would carry weapons, targeting and observation pods, as well as fuel tanks on external pylons under the wings and fuselage.

Further, like the indigenous LCA Tejas that wields Python missiles, Astra BVRAAM, Vympel R-77, and R-73 air-to-air missiles, the Kh-59ME TV guided stand-off missile and the Kh-59MK laser-guided stand-off missiles, the AMCA could be integrated with similar weapons. Just as India sought HAMMER missiles for LCA, advanced missiles could also be imported for the AMCA.

Indian media reported that the AMCA could be equipped with Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) just as China’s J-20 is believed to get the DEWs, as previously revealed by a Global Times report.

The AMCA’s avionics suite will comprise modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities with “sixth-generation characteristics.” The plane will have a very low radar cross-section for better stealth, as well as AI-based technologies and an upgraded cockpit display with a touch screen interface.

All these specifications are expected to put the aircraft on par with the J-20. According to reports, the AMCA will also incorporate thrust-vectoring engines. The J-20 is on course to upgrade its WS-10 engines with thrust vectoring technology while the WS-15 already possesses this technology aimed at achieving better maneuverability.

Both the Chinese J-20 and Indian AMCA have air superiority as their primary objectives. While the Chinese Air Force developed its fifth-generation fighter years ago, the addition of a similar aircraft to IAF’s arsenal could create a balance of power between the two adversaries that are locked in a prolonged border standoff.

Rodeoface

MEMBER

New Recruit

Mar 13, 2021
8
0
3
Country
Location
Its a long long way from production stage. Some bits are being assembled but that does not mean its entered production.
It will be some years before it flies

baqai

SENIOR MEMBER
Sep 28, 2006
2,603
1
3,475
Country
Location
i don't understand how can they jump from one project to another without finishing the first one?

i mean LCA is still not finished, the aircraft has not been inducted in the Airforce, not seen any combat, not seen any real life flying yet it is up for sale.

Reminds me of our politicians ... project hu na hu inauguration karwa du apnay naam ki

STREANH

FULL MEMBER
Aug 12, 2021
272
0
403
Country
Location
i don't understand how can they jump from one project to another without finishing the first one?

i mean LCA is still not finished, the aircraft has not been inducted in the Airforce, not seen any combat, not seen any real life flying yet it is up for sale.

Reminds me of our politicians ... project hu na hu inauguration karwa du apnay naam ki

Have you thought of the possibility that they have different teams for different projects?

Moreover, for the AMCA and the multi-role helicopter projects, the majority of the ownership is expected to be owned by a consortium of private sector companies with HAL being the minority stake holder. There is a huge difference in the working cultures of private and public sector companies in India.

Indos

PDF THINK TANK: ANALYST
Jul 25, 2013
15,694
22
18,815
Country
Location
Its a long long way from production stage. Some bits are being assembled but that does not mean its entered production.
It will be some years before it flies

Yup, that is just a tiny part production, similar like KF21/IFX program there are some parts being produced in early 2019 despite detail design completion was in September 2019 ( for single seat variant), KF 21 roll out is in 2021 April.

So if we compare AMCA with KF21/IFX program, so AMCA prototype roll out will likely be in 2024 and test flight is in 2025 with assumption the development goes smoothly from now until the flight test.

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 6, Members: 3, Guests: 3)

Top Bottom

What are the consequences of the problems that China's J-10 Fighters have?

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

In March 2022, Pakistan officially inducted the J-10CE "Vigorous Dragon," with an initial batch of 25 aircraft and prospects for follow-on orders.

Title:

Content: PLA Air force's development briefed at Airshow China 2021

Source
China Military Online
Editor
Wang Xinjuan
Time
2021-09-30 18:45:35
WZ-8 drone is displayed at the Airshow China 2021. (Photo/Xinhua)

By Li Jincheng and Li Jianwen

ZHUHAI, Sept. 30 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) held a press conference on September 29 during the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) and introduced its development in recent years.

According to Lieutenant General Wang Wei, deputy commander of PLAAF, the J-20, Y-20, new type of UAVs, special-purpose combat planes, and a range of ground-based air defense weapons and new types of radars all joined the exhibition, fully demonstrating the PLAAF’s capability and confidence to defend the national air and space security, safeguard national unity, and contribute to the world peace.

Major General Wang Zhilong, deputy director of the PLAAF’s Equipment Department, said that the air force has conducted equipment development and capability enhancement targeted at plateau and maritime operations, giving a strong impetus to regular oceangoing and high-altitude training.

When introducing modified fighter jets such as the J-10C and J-16D, Wang explained that the J-10C is a multi-purpose fighter jet modified from J-10 with much improved overall combat efficiency, while the J-16D is a new type of electronic warfare aircraft (WEA) independently developed based on J-16 fighter jet. Following the guiding thought of “one generation in exploration, one generation under research, and one generation in service”, the PLAAF is developing weapons and equipment in a sustained, healthy and orderly manner toward the goal of building a world-class strategic air force that’s fully capable of protecting national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Tang Changhong, chief designer of the Y-20, explained that as a large multi-purpose transport plane integrating strategic and tactical performance, the Y-20 has accomplished all kinds of tasks since it was commissioned. It has basically met the design expectations and will continue to exert its value through constant improvements. Tang also said that Y-20 has had test flights with homemade engines and recorded exceptional performance.

Related News

Continue...

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

The sale was significant—seen as a direct response to India’s acquisition of the Dassault Rafale.

- No other country has conclusively finalized deals for the J-10 by the public record, although there have been **rumors about potential interest from countries such as Iran, Egypt, and some African nations**.

Title:

Content: Mock Attack On U.S. Navy Vessels Underway During Chinese Fighter’s ‘Unsafe Intercept’

The Chinese Navy staged a simulated attack on U.S. Navy warships in the South China Sea earlier this month.

byThomas Newdick| PUBLISHED Dec 30, 2022 12:31 PM
Share

The Chinese Navy simulated an attack on a U.S. Navy task group in the South China Sea on December 21, the same day that a Chinese J-11 fighter jet intercepted a U.S. Air Force RC-135 surveillance aircraft, in what the Pentagon termed an “unsafe maneuver.” While a video of the intercept was released yesterday, which you can read more about here, further details are now becoming available pointing to a large-scale Chinese exercise in the South China Sea, involving the aircraft carrier Shandong, as well as other undisclosed bomber and fighter aircraft.

“As part of that exercise, a strike group led by the Shandong simulated attacks on a U.S. Navy formation,” an official from an unnamed Asian country disclosed to the Financial Times. It was while this was happening that the armed People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) J-11BSH Flanker fighter jet intercepted the RC-135. That incident occurred within international airspace.

It’s now clear that there was significant air and naval activity in the South China Sea at the time, which also included refueling sorties above the Bashi Channel, the highly strategic straits which run from the southern end of Taiwan to the northern tip of the island of Luzon in the Philippines.

Intense Chinese military activity in the South China Sea is hardly unusual, although it’s interesting to note that, in this case, the exercise scenario apparently targeted U.S. Navy vessels specifically.

At the same, time, U.S. surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft are also regular visitors to the South China Sea, and the Bashi Channel in particular.

Indeed, it’s highly conceivable that the RC-135 that was intercepted was monitoring the same Chinese military drill as it unfolded in the air and in the waters of the South China Sea. In the past, the SCS Probing Initiative, hosted by the Peking University in Beijing, has claimed that “The U.S. military conducts three to five sorties to the South China Sea every day.”

On December 21, according to the SCS Probing Initiative, the U.S. military sent three P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, one RC-135V surveillance aircraft, and one E-3G airborne early warning and control aircraft from Clark Air Base and Kadena Air Base to operate over the South China Sea and south of the Taiwan Strait. The RC-135V in question could very well have been the one intercepted by the J-11.

Meanwhile, the PLAN’s most recently inducted aircraft carrier, Shandong, has also conducted previous exercises in the region, as have U.S. Navy carrier strike groups.

In fact, the intensity of U.S. carrier operations in the South China Sea has picked up in recent years. In July 2020, for example, two Nimitz class aircraft carriers, the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan took part in the first dual-carrier exercise held there in six years.

Notably, as of December 21, the PLAN also had another carrier task group conducting large-scale exercises, this time with Liaoning operating in the Philippine Sea. The ability of the PLAN to carry out simultaneous large-scale carrier operations in two different locations is a significant one, as carriers and out-of-area operations become more central to its concept of operations.

Overall, the events of December 21 reflect the patterns of activity that are increasingly commonplace for both China and the United States in the region.

Beijing claims the bulk of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, contributing to this being the region’s most hotly contested body of water. Such claims are bolstered by China’s construction of controversial man-made islands in the region. These outposts have become increasingly militarized, part of China’s strategy for enforcing its expansive territorial claims despite significant international opposition. The same strategy also involves paramilitary vessels that are used to impede other nations’ access to fishing areas and energy resources.

In addition, the Bashi Channel serves as an important passageway from the South China Sea in the broader Pacific to the east, especially for Chinese submarines. These include the ballistic missile submarines at the sprawling Yulin Naval Base on Hainan Island, at the northern end of the South China Sea, which constitute an increasingly important part of Beijing’s strategic nuclear forces.

For the U.S. military, meanwhile, there is a clear requirement to monitor Chinese activities in the region, including exercises, but also gathering any kind of intelligence that could shed light on the capabilities of PLAN aircraft and ships, as well as tactics, techniques, and procedures. Of course, a close intercept by a J-11 on a U.S. strategic reconnaissance asset can also reveal critical intelligence details.

While the precise location of the RC-135 intercept, and of the simulated attacks on the U.S. Navy by the Shandong strike group, remain unclear, the issue of Taiwan also plays into the geopolitical backdrop of these and similar incidents.

The Chinese leadership has taken an increasingly aggressive stance toward Taiwan in recent years, while officials in the United States are now more openly expressing concerns that Beijing may seek to take control of the island sooner rather than later. The PLAN’s ability to frustrate any U.S. Navy operations that might be undertaken in support of Taiwan is clearly fundamental to success

As to the RC-135’s encounter with the J-11, a U.S. military spokesperson has confirmed to Reuters that the Chinese jet actually came within 10 feet of the surveillance plane’s wing, but 20 feet from its nose. It was the position of the Chinese jet off the nose of the RC-135 which reportedly caused the U.S. aircraft to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision.

The video that has been presented doesn’t appear to show the J-11 in extremely close proximity to the RC-135, or undertaking overtly hazardous maneuvers, something that former RC-135 pilot and contributor to The War Zone, Robert S Hopkins III, has observed:

Still, the Chinese Flanker is shown coming close to the RC-135 in a manner in which keeping visual separation may have been impeded for the pilot flying the fighter and we don't know what else happened that was not shown in the video. But by the DoD's account, some evasive maneuvering occurred, which we do not see.

Regardless, the Pentagon clearly considers that the action by the J-11 fits within a wider pattern of “dangerous behavior” by Chinese military aircraft, especially over the highly contested South China Sea.

Repeated incidents have been described variously as risky or unprofessional, although it’s also apparent that these encompass a range of different actions by the Chinese aircraft, some of which are clearly more dangerous than others.

In July, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that China had become more aggressive in its intercepts of U.S. and allied military aircraft. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has also raised his concerns about this issue in a recent meeting with Chinese Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe.

Some actions by Chinese aircraft in recent months have been more overtly threatening. A case in point is the incident in May this year, when an Australian P-8A was damaged by countermeasures launched by a Chinese J-16 Flanker fighter jet over the South China Sea, according to the Australian Department of Defense.

In an incident that you can read more about here, the J-16 is said to have cut across and in front of the Australian patrol plane before releasing chaff, which is normally used to blind and confuse radars, but which would cause serious damage if ingested into an engine.

In response to the P-8 incident, the Chinese Ministry of Defense stated that the “countermeasures taken by the Chinese military are professional, safe, reasonable, and legitimate.”

Beijing frames military activities by the United States and its allies as a threat to peace in the region, issuing sharp rebukes to U.S. Navy warships conducting so-called Freedom of Navigation Patrols, or FONOPs. Meanwhile, its claims over most of the South China Sea and Taiwan remain steadfast.

So far, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has not provided any more details about the December 21 incident, or the scope of the Chinese exercise, but the issue of the RC-135 intercept has been raised with the Chinese government. The Ministry of Defense in Beijing and the Chinese Embassy in the United States are yet to comment.

With no obvious signs that the overall geopolitical situation in the region is set to change any time soon, it seems more likely than not that we will see more incidents involving the PLAN and the U.S. military — and its allies — in this strategic area.

Large-scale exercises like those undertaken by China in the South China Sea on December 21, and the RC-135 intercept that took place concurrently, also highlight the dangers of inadvertent conflict — if only through a misunderstanding — that are always present in these kinds of high-stakes encounters.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com

What are the consequences of the problems that China's J-10 Fighters have?

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

However, no concrete contracts have been announced by these states.

**Buyer Feedback:**
- **Pakistani public statements** express satisfaction.

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) lauds the J-10CE for its modern avionics, multi-role flexibility, and robust armament options.

Title:

Content: Categories
News

Which is better F-35 or J 20?

Which is better F-35 or J-20?

In the world of military aviation, the competition between aircraft manufacturers is fierce. Two of the most advanced and highly debated fighter jets are the F-35, developed Lockheed Martin, and the J-20, designed China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation. Both aircraft boast impressive capabilities, but which one is truly superior? Let’s delve into the details and compare these cutting-edge fighters.

The F-35, also known as the Lightning II, is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter. It was developed to meet the requirements of the United States and its allies, offering advanced stealth capabilities, superior situational awareness, and a wide range of mission capabilities. The aircraft’s advanced technology and versatility have made it a popular choice among many nations.

On the other hand, the J-20, China’s first fifth-generation fighter, is a formidable competitor. It features advanced stealth capabilities, long-range capabilities, and a large payload capacity. The J-20 is designed to counter advanced enemy aircraft and dominate the skies, showcasing China’s growing military prowess.

FAQ:

Q: What does “stealth capabilities” mean?
A: Stealth capabilities refer to an aircraft’s ability to evade detection radar and other sensors, making it difficult for enemy forces to track and engage the aircraft.

Q: What is a fifth-generation fighter?
A: A fifth-generation fighter is a classification for advanced fighter aircraft that possess advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare capabilities.

Q: Which aircraft is more widely used?
A: The F-35 is currently more widely used, with several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan, operating the aircraft. The J-20 is primarily used the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

Q: Which aircraft is more technologically advanced?
A: Both aircraft are considered highly advanced, but the F-35 has been in development for a longer period and benefits from extensive research and testing. However, the J-20 incorporates some unique features and technologies, showcasing China’s advancements in military technology.

In conclusion, determining which aircraft is better, the F-35 or J-20, is a complex task. Both fighters possess impressive capabilities and have their own strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the superiority of one over the other depends on specific mission requirements and the preferences of the countries operating them.

What may some improvements made in China's J-10 Fighter help Pakistan Airforce?

Enable Pakistan Air Force to carry more missiles to perform combat missions

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

The J-10CE filled perceived capability gaps, including advanced radar and BVR missile integration, balancing against India’s Rafale jets.

What missiles can China's J-10 FIghters carry?

- PAF’s decision to induct the jet after rigorous evaluations indicates confidence in performance and reliability, though no combat experience is available yet for export variants.

Pakistani pilots and officials have praised its maneuverability and “4.5 generation” capabilities, but independent operational data is limited.

Title:

Content: Home Business China wants a stronger military

China wants a stronger military

by admin

Addressing the National People’s Congress in Beijing, the Chinese president Xi Jinpingconfirmed for the third consecutive mandate, declared to the Armed Forces delegation that thePeople’s Liberation Army (Epl) must prepare to become the military tool of a world power. Not only that: the president and secretary of the Chinese Communist Party has predicted, for 2023, a increase in the planning of military spending “appropriate” to the instability of international security.

The Chinese Armed Forces are now in the wake of a decisive change which completes the long journey begun with the reforms of Deng Xiaoping.

Deng and Jiang’s Modernizations for a Professional Army

The EPL was radically revamped for the first time since Deng Xiaoping who introduced the concept of professional army and reduced the number of the force to increase training and professional preparation, as well as the diffusion of technology towards peripheral units, actually employed on the ground.

Then in 1993, with the management of Jiang Zeminthe Central Military Commission (CMC) introduced the Military Strategic Guidelines for the new period, a first real programmatic document of a further organizational and technological revolution of the military. With this document the importance was removed from the northern territorial forces (also due to the disappearance of the Soviet Union), a decisive projection on the sea and the implementation of a military instrument capable of fighting and winning a “local and limited war in high-tech conditions” was advocated.

This type of conflict, inspired by the CMC from the evolution of the Second Gulf War, would necessarily have been approached with the high-tech aero-naval tool and with the ability to carry out joint campaign (with the seamlessly integrated employment of the Army, Navy and Air Force). In addition to the case study of the Gulf War, this doctrine was particularly inspired by the conflicts in the South and East China seas.

See also  Resolution 29 of 06/02/2023 - Correction of the residual commitments and activation of the residual liabilities of the Autonomous State Authority for Public Works for the financial year 2023

With Jiang’s modernization, China began a reasoning introduction of naval means such as corvettes (for example those of model 053H3, Jiangwei II and model 053H1G, Jianghu V) and submarines (Ming class model 035G and 035B) which gave the Navy of the People’s Republic of China the ability to intervene quickly and discreetly in the China Sea . The impetus for the construction and integration of these units was undoubtedly strengthened by the Taiwan question which erupted in the strait crisis of 1995 and 1996.

The Chinese Armed Forces had therefore decisively taken the path of top-down modernization between the end of the 1990s and the 2000s.

The advent of Xi

With the aspiration to the role of world power and the “peaceful rise” of the Hu era, the military instrument found itself in the need to make the leap in quality to become internationally competitive. Xi Jinping’s coming to power in 2013 meant the introduction of a new military reform in 2015which has focused heavily on the centralization of the Armed Forces (and a consequent more pervasive control of the Party) and the modernization of the Command and Control (C2) to face the need to share information and influence capabilities so important in armed conflicts of last generation and in multi-domain operations.

The online entry of the JP-20 Chengdu, Chinese military aircraft that fits into the fifth generation of aerial combat. On the real potential in terms of multi-domain effects (which therefore also involve the cyber and space environment) the debate is heated and it seems that Chengdu is inferior to its Western and Russian counterparts, but it demonstrates Chinese attention to the new type of conflict . This attention is also demonstrated by the creation, again in 2015, of the Strategic Support Forcea fifth arm of the PLA (joining the Army, Air Force, Navy and Rocket Force) and specifically concerned with military action in fifth generation conflicts and with influencing space dominance, coordinating targeting capability (acquiring targets to hit), cyber and information.

See also  National Development and Reform Commission Price Monitoring Center: It is expected that this round of domestic refined oil price adjustments will be "stranded"_Guangming.com-politics.gmw.cn

The multi-domain breakthrough

In fact, China is among the first advanced countries, if not the first ever, to dedicate an armed force to the space and cyber domains, bearing in mind that the US Space Force was made independent in 2019. The weight of multi-domain operations is therefore considered decisive by the Chinese personnel and doctrine and the use in this sense is held in high consideration, it remains to be seen which both the real technological level reached by the Armed Forces of the PRC and the effective capability of C2 in this type of operations actually possessed by the PLA. This starting point is essential for understanding the substantiality of the further change of pace that Xi, who has just been reconfirmed President, and his entourage are asking for with the increase in military investment.

Western military technology and that of allied countries has so far proved to be more advanced than both Russian and Chinese according to important studies related to the sector, such as for example Multidomain Deterrence and Strategic Stability in China by analyst Lora Saalman (published by the Swedish institute SIPRI), although the Chinese one is getting closer. Furthermore, again according to the same study, published in 2022, the technological equality of the arsenals could, of course, facilitate a dialogue of stability with the United States and at least the member countries of the alliance Five Eyes between the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The gap to be filled, for Beijing, would also be of a quantitative nature, since the fifth generation technological assets in the possession of Western countries are more numerous. It is therefore likely that the military investment announced in China will concern the quality and quantity of multi-domain technologiesa development of the integrated training of the multi-domain C2 (which can take place, for example, within the exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and a restructuring of the companies producing weapon systems (with respect to which Western companies, also due to the freedom of the market, have so far made the difference.

See also  Two-seater/Disney element is the highlight real shot Wuling NanoEV limited edition-Sina Motors

EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

You may also like

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy

**Media & Commentator Evaluations:**
- Chinese official outlets (e.g., CCTV, Global Times) heavily promote the J-10’s technological upgrades (e.g., indigenous WS-10 engines, advanced radar, electronic warfare).

They highlight its thrust-vectoring and versatility amid ongoing PLA modernization.

Title:

Content: What's new

China’s Stealth Fighter Designer Critiques U.S. B-21 Bomber Development Pace

beijingwalker

ELITE MEMBER
Nov 4, 2011
66,408
-55
99,871
Country
Location

China’s Stealth Fighter Designer Critiques U.S. B-21 Bomber Development Pace

on 23 December 2023

In a lecture aimed at dissecting the evolution of air warfare, Yang Wei, the chief designer of China’s leading-edge J-20 stealth fighter, scrutinized the developments surrounding America’s B-21 Raider stealth bomber. Yang compared the philosophies underlying military aviation advancements in China and the United States, suggesting that China’s approach to research and development outpaces that of its American counterpart. The analysis of the U.S. B-21 Raider’s progress and the broader implications of this comparison has sparked interest and commentary throughout the defense community.

China’s military advances have been notable not only for their technological aspects but also for their speed. According to Yang Wei, this is exemplified in China’s adoption of digital engineering, which enables faster development cycles compared to American methods. Yang’s critique extended beyond a simple one-upmanship of aircraft capabilities, targeting the fundamental R&D approaches between the two powers. Moreover, his speech hinted at deeper collaboration with China’s Academy of Engineering Physics, spurring speculation about China integrating nuclear capabilities onto their fighter jets, a strategic shift from China’s historically defensive nuclear posture.

This evolving strategy aligns with China’s broader military developments. Enhancing the J-20 stealth fighter with a nuclear strike capability could offer China a more immediate nuclear deterrent while the development of the H-20 bomber continues. The J-20’s advanced stealth characteristics could potentially enable it to execute penetrating nuclear strikes with a greater probability of evading detection and defensive measures. With both nations advancing their military aviation technology, the competition underscores not just advancements in technical capabilities, but also in strategic doctrine.
In sum, the insights from Yang Wei’s talk echo a larger narrative regarding the competitive advancement in stealth technology and, importantly, highlight the strategic implications should China pair its stealth fighters with nuclear weaponry.

FAQ:
1. What was the primary focus of Yang Wei’s lecture?
Yang Wei’s lecture focused on the evolution of air warfare, specifically the development of the J-20 stealth fighter and the comparison with America’s B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

2. How does China’s approach to military aviation R&D compare with that of the United States?
According to Yang Wei, China’s employs digital engineering which leads to faster development cycles, suggesting an advantage over traditional American R&D methods.
3. What speculation has arisen from Yang Wei’s mention of collaboration with China’s Academy of Engineering Physics?
There is speculation that China may be considering integrating nuclear capabilities onto their J-20 fighter jets, indicating a possible shift in China’s nuclear strategy.
4. What strategic advantage could China gain by enhancing the J-20 with nuclear strike capability?
Such a capability could provide China with a more immediate nuclear deterrent and the ability to execute penetrating nuclear strikes that could evade detection and defensive measures.
5. Why is the competition between China and the U.S. in military aviation technology significant?
The competition is significant because it reflects not only advancements in technical capabilities but also shifts in strategic military doctrines.
Definitions:
Stealth Technology: A set of techniques used in military aviation to make aircraft less detectable by radar and other detection methods.
Digital Engineering: An approach to designing and developing systems that utilize advanced computing and simulation to create faster, more efficient development processes.
Nuclear Deterrent: A strategy wherein a country possesses nuclear weapons to discourage an enemy from taking an action, typically by the promise of retaliation.
Research and Development (R&D): The process through which new products and technologies are created and existing products are improved.

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 0, Members: 0, Guests: 0)

Back
Top Bottom

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

- **International/independent defense analysts** have mixed views:
  - Some note the *J-10 has matured significantly since its introduction*, with avionics and weapons that are “comparable to late-4th generation fighters” but not at true 5th-gen parity with F-35 or Rafale.