Archive · 24 Sep 2026
China Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting
China is reportedly holding some parts from an F-35 aircraft.
One of the parts is a special canopy over the cockpit.
The canopy includes technology that helps the aircraft stay difficult to detect.
The United States and its allies are described as having access to this technology.
Two sources said an adversary could study the canopy.
They said this might help someone copy or reverse-engineer the technology.
The report comes before a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
The article does not explain how China obtained the parts.
China is reportedly holding sensitive parts from an F-35 shipment.
The shipment included an aircraft canopy covering the cockpit.
The canopy contains stealth technology accessible only to the United States and its allies.
Sources said an adversary could study the components and potentially reverse-engineer the technology.
The concerns emerged ahead of a meeting between Trump and Xi.
- Who
- China, the United States and its allies, and the sources describing the security concern; the issue comes ahead of a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
- What
- China is reportedly holding sensitive F-35 parts, including a canopy containing stealth technology.
- When
- Ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Xi; no specific date is provided.
- Where
- The location of the parts is not specified.
- Why
- Sources warned that studying the components could allow an adversary to potentially reverse-engineer the technology.
- Aircraft
- F-35
- Sensitive component
- An aircraft canopy covering the cockpit
- Technology
- Stealth technology
- Reported holder
- China
- Sources
- Two people familiar with the matter
- Potential risk
- Study and possible reverse-engineering of the technology