Watch: Chinese fighter jet flies 'within 10ft' of US B-52
A US Air Force B-52 has been subjected to an "unsafe intercept" from a Chinese fighter jet, with the Department of Defense saying it came dangerously close to the American bomber.
The DOD said the Stratofortress had been "lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace" when the Chinese Shenyang J-11 intercepted it.
According to the DOD, the Chinese pilot "flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner".
During the night-time intercept, the DOD said the Chinese pilot also "demonstrated poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled excessive speed" and flew below, in front and within 10 feet of the B-52, putting both aircraft in danger of collision.
"We are concerned this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision," the DOD said.
"The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly – wherever international law allows."
The DOD added: "The US Indo-Pacific Joint Force will continue to fly in international airspace with due regard for the safety of all vessels and aircraft under international law.
"We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law."
The B-52 is, according to manufacturer Boeing, the most combat-capable bomber in the US inventory.
It provides the US with both immediate nuclear and conventional global strike capability.
The Stratofortress is also enormous. It has a wingspan of 185ft, is 59ft 4ins long and 40ft 8in high.
It has a speed of 650mph and can carry up to 31,500kg of mixed ordnance – including bombs, smart weapons, mines and missiles.
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