Beijing, Apr 20 (IANS): Female pilots will fly the Chinese Air Force's FBC-1 bombers for the first time, the PLA Daily reported 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, Xinhua news agency reported.
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.