For decades, the U.S. military has enjoyed air superiority as a result of the Pentagon's hundreds of millions of dollars in investments in advanced fighter jets, weapons systems, satellites and aircraft carriers.
However, U.S. military experts and commanders warn that Washington "may not always be able to continue to rely on its air superiority," due to accelerating steps toward the Chinese military's modernization, the Voice of America website reports.
The report cites the statements made by General Charles Brown Jr., commander of the U.S. Air Force, during an Air Force conference last month, in which he said the Chinese military has what it called "the largest air force in the Pacific." And that Beijing developed it "under our noses."
Brown predicted that China would be able to overcome American air supremacy by 2035.
At the same event, General Clinton Heinot, the deputy chief of staff, warned that the United States was not keeping pace with China's progress.
"In some important areas, we are behind. This is not tomorrow's problem, it is today," he said, referring to the need to correct this gap.
Hainot told reporters that China is following developments in the U.S. Air Force, warning that "the light is flashing red."
Last week, China sent nearly 150 fighter jets, including its most advanced J-16 fighter jets and H-6 bombers, to the area under Taiwan's air defense, while demonstrating its military might.