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Women to fly FBC-1 bombers for first time

Xinhua, April 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Female pilots will fly the Chinese Air Force's FBC-1 bombers for the first time, according to the PLA Daily on Wednesday.

The FBC-1 fighter jet, also known as the Flying Leopard, is independently developed and manufactured by Xi'an Aircraft Industry Corp. in northwest China.

The aircraft contains two cabins, with the forecabin holding the cockpit while the rear cabin controls the weapons.

Until now, the cockpit has been occupied only by male pilots. The Air Force of the People's Liberation Army has decided to modify the jet's cockpit to better accommodate female pilots.

The Air Force is now training women to fly the jets at an air base in northeast China. The pilots will also carry out night formation flight drills for future combat missions. Endi