China’s ‘dark factory’ more than doubles production efficiency for J-20 jets

China has significantly boosted production efficiency for J-20 stealth fighter components through a "dark factory." This facility utilizes autonomous vehicles and AI-driven machinery, operating almost continuously with minimal human oversight. The adoption of this automated process has more than doubled the production efficiency for crucial aircraft components, allowing for the assembly of an aircraft's "skeleton" in near darkness. Dark factories are designed for unmanned operation, which reduces the need for lighting, thereby lowering energy consumption and operational costs. This advancement represents a major step in China's aerospace manufacturing capabilities.