According to the U.S. military media outlet "The War Zone," a series of images that have been exposed on social media recently have confirmed that China is testing a new tailless stealth tactical jet. This news has immediately caused a stir in the global military aviation field, as this model is different from the Chengdu J-36 and the Shenyang J-50, and is a completely new mysterious model. In the context where the U.S. next-generation air superiority program is progressing slowly and showing few results, this mysterious aircraft, with its unique design and advanced technology, is likely to set multiple world records, causing great shock among Western military analysts.
On August 4th, at least five blurry images of the new aircraft appeared on social media. From these images, it can be roughly seen that this is a fighter jet with a tailless flying wing design, featuring a sharp front fuselage, a relatively wide fuselage, and wings that present a highly swept "W" shape. Due to limited image clarity, it is currently impossible to confirm whether there is a cockpit. However, based on the overall design style and fuselage size, it is likely a heavy aircraft. Whether it is a manned fighter or a high-performance unmanned combat aircraft remains uncertain for now.
Western military scholars speculate that this aircraft may possess the capability of a "loyal wingman" collaboration. It could not only cooperate with the current J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters to build a powerful air combat system, but also form a mixed formation of manned and unmanned aircraft with the next-generation fighters being developed by Shenyang and Chengdu, greatly expanding the operational dimension.
It is interesting to note that the design of this newly revealed aircraft shares similarities with the Chengdu J-36 and the Shenyang J-50 that were unveiled on December 26, 2024, yet it also has obvious differences. This has led foreign media to be convinced that it is likely a brand-new creation from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and some even believe it is a product of the Xian Aircraft Company. Others speculate that it is specifically optimized for carrier operations. Social media rumors suggest that this aircraft may adopt a variable-sweep wing design and be able to switch flexibly between manned and unmanned modes, which undoubtedly demonstrates China's ambitious aspirations in the field of multi-purpose fighter aircraft development.
In terms of creating stealth characteristics, this new aircraft has made significant efforts. The tailless flying wing layout and thrust vector control nozzles enhance maneuverability while further strengthening stealth performance. The spacious internal fuselage provides ample space to carry more fuel, extending the range, and to install large weapon bays, expected to carry long-range strike missiles, making it capable of undertaking a variety of missions such as air superiority, long-range precision strikes, air defense interception, and aerial command and control. From these characteristics, if this platform is positioned as a heavy fighter, it will undoubtedly have formidable combat capabilities; if it is an unmanned aircraft, it would certainly create another "world's first," becoming the largest supersonic unmanned heavy fighter in the world. Of course, I personally believe it is more likely to be a manned aircraft.
The three-wheel landing gear equipped on this aircraft features a front landing gear that appears to be a dual-wheel structure, a design typically used on aircraft executing long-range missions or those with strict takeoff and landing requirements, indicating its high weight class. The air data probe installed on the nose directly indicates that this aircraft is in the early stages of flight testing. Furthermore, based on the existing design, its stealth performance is likely to surpass all current stealth fighters, achieving full-spectrum, wide-band stealth, becoming a typical representative of the sixth-generation fighter stealth standard.
Andreas Ruprecht, a foreign expert who has long focused on China's aviation equipment development, pointed out that this new aircraft is likely part of China's multiple "loyal wingman" programs. In the future, it is highly probable that it will partner with the J-20S twin-seat stealth fighter, taking on key tasks such as drone group control, battlefield reconnaissance, and firepower strikes.
This mode of manned aircraft and drone cooperative combat is one of the core characteristics of sixth-generation fighters. Relying on artificial intelligence technology and a networked combat system, it can significantly enhance battlefield situational awareness. Compared to the current CH-71 drone, this new aircraft is expected to achieve more perfect team coordination with the J-20S, the next-generation fighters from Chengdu and Shenyang, thereby achieving an operational efficiency of 1+1>2.
Western analysts have warned that the successive appearances of the J-36, J-50, and now this mysterious new aircraft clearly indicate that China has already taken a lead in the sixth-generation fighter development race, leaving the U.S. next-generation air superiority program far behind. At present, the U.S. military may have entered a "panic mode," as China has made remarkable progress in full-spectrum stealth technology, supersonic flight performance, and UAV cooperative combat technology, each breakthrough is reshaping the future air combat landscape.
They even boldly assert that the unveiling of China's third sixth-generation aircraft is not just a display of advanced technology, but a shocking "Sputnik moment" that marks China's aviation industry advancing rapidly, creating one miracle after another. There may also be psychological warfare strategy considerations behind it, aiming to influence the subsequent military planning and strategic deployment of the United States and its allies, exerting significant pressure on the opponent on a psychological level.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7535715919633449491/
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