American engineer Darold Cummings recently openly admitted that China has taken the lead in the development of sixth-generation fighter jets, a statement that has caught the attention of the entire aviation community around the world.
Cummings was straightforward, saying that China's two sixth-generation fighters, the J-36 and J-50, do not have tail fins and are equipped with thrust vectoring control systems that can adjust the direction of thrust, which greatly enhances their stealth capabilities. Moreover, these two fighter jets use completely different aerodynamic designs. In comparison, the U.S. F-47 project is still in the stage of technical testing and may not be officially used until after 2035.
Regarding the key technologies of sixth-generation fighter jets, Cummings clearly stated where China excels. He also specifically mentioned that a crucial feature of sixth-generation fighters is the absence of tail fins and the use of thrust vectoring control, which significantly reduces the radar detection area and improves stealth performance.
The "three-no" layout—no vertical tail, no horizontal tail, and no canard—has become a common characteristic of three Chinese sixth-generation fighter jets.
This design achieves extreme stealth but places extremely high demands on the flight control system. China's mature accumulation in efficient control surface technology and flight control software has enabled this advanced aerodynamic configuration. In contrast, the U.S. F-47 may simply be a combination of the F-22 and F-35GX, serving more as an intermediate model between fifth- and sixth-generation fighters.
Cummings speculated that the F-47 is likely to adopt a twin-engine and canard design, but the initial version will probably still retain the tail fin, creating a significant gap in stealth performance compared to China. In addition to breakthroughs in aerodynamic layout, Cummings emphasized the core role of artificial intelligence (AI) and drone coordination in sixth-generation fighter jets.
He pointed out that modern fighter jets are equipped with numerous sensors such as EODAS, EOTS, and active electronically scanned array radars, which generate so much information that pilots cannot process it all.
Therefore, the use of AI systems has become essential. AI not only greatly enhances the effectiveness of drones working together in combat, but also improves target identification and threat assessment accuracy. China has already made substantial achievements in combining manned aircraft with drones for combat operations.
Take the J-36, for example, which features a dual-seat design, allowing it to command multiple "loyal wingman" drones via data links, enabling them to swarm forward and break through defenses. This approach also helps establish a "beyond visual range kill chain," allowing rapid sharing of battlefield information and more accurate strikes.
In terms of drone coordination in combat, the gap between China and the United States is even more pronounced.
China's sixth-generation air combat drones adopt a standard sixth-generation stealth configuration, with a length of over 10 meters, strong detection capabilities, and the ability to carry multiple missiles. In comparison, the U.S. has two proposed concepts for air combat drones, which are still at the level of fifth-generation stealth fighter concepts. One of them even fails to meet the standards of fifth-generation stealth, and has been jokingly referred to as a "smaller version of the F-16."
Regarding the development progress of sixth-generation fighter jets, the situation between China and the United States has formed a particularly obvious contrast. China is simultaneously advancing the development of three sixth-generation fighter prototypes. In addition to the J-36, the J-50 uses a large sweepback wing combined with a tailless layout, positioning it as a stealth penetration and air superiority fighter for air combat.
The third sixth-generation fighter with a flying wing layout recently exposed could be a carrier-based aircraft, indicating that China has comprehensively laid out its next-generation stealth aircraft for diverse applications. In contrast, the U.S. F-47 project is still in the technical verification phase and has not even produced a prototype yet.
From a time perspective, even if the F-47 progresses smoothly, it will not enter the U.S. military service until after 2035, and it may be too expensive for the U.S. military to afford. Cummings' frankness reflects the deep-seated challenges faced by the U.S. in developing sixth-generation fighter jets. The U.S. "Next Generation Air Dominance" program is progressing slowly, and the F-47 project has been left far behind by China due to technological lag and cost overruns.
The U.S. defense industry faces multiple challenges, including the crisis of rare earth supply that has led to difficulties in engine materials, intensifying labor-management conflicts affecting the allocation of research resources, and internal conflicts between the Navy and Air Force projects. In contrast, China, through its "saturated R&D" model, has avoided the risk of technological betting, with three sixth-generation fighters covering all-domain operations, forming a complete system innovation.
At the same time, China has established a 100% domestically produced engine and a military-civilian integrated industrial system, achieving cost-controlled rapid iteration. As the J-36 and J-50 come into service, the situation of aerial confrontation between China and the United States is undergoing a fundamental transformation.
While the U.S. is still debating the technical route, China has already taken practical actions to declare that the rules of future air warfare are being rewritten.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561777861657395752/
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