Excitement and speculation have surged as new images and videos appear to reveal the maiden flights of not one but two of China’s cutting-edge sixth-generation fighter jets.
On December 26, social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with images and videos featuring China’s latest generation fighter jet, sparking widespread discussion. The aircraft was seen soaring alongside China’s fifth-generation J-20S (a twin-seat variant of its Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter).
The flight reportedly took place over Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, and is thought to have been conducted by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC). The accompanying J-20 fighter is speculated to have acted as “a chase plane” during the test flight.
This latest development has ignited a flurry of speculation online, with many observers hailing the aircraft as a “major leap” in China’s military aviation capabilities.
On X, users described the event as a semi-annual “Chinese Christmas defense surprise,” with one commentator humorously stating that the appearance had “sent aviation Twitter into cardiac arrest.”
The timing of the flight is also noteworthy, coinciding with the birthday of Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.
This new aircraft is the latest in a series of major milestones for China’s aviation sector. Just a month ago, at the Zhuhai Airshow, China unveiled the J-35A fifth-generation fighter jet and the J-15T fighter.
During the Zhuhai Airshow, the unveiling of a mockup of a sixth-generation fighter, dubbed “Baidi” or “White Emperor,” also caught the global media attention. At the time, the Baidi was described as a next-generation integrated space-air fighter capable of supersonic flight and potentially operating in space. It is unlikely that the aircraft seen on December 26 is the Baidi.
While some accounts have labeled the new Chinese aircraft the “J-XX”, others refer to it as the “J-XD”, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its designation.
While many details remain unknown, the debut of China’s latest fighter marks another milestone in the country’s growing defense prowess and its ambitions to challenge global aviation powers.
What Do We Know About This New Aircraft?
Many experts initially approached the news with caution, wary of the possibility that this might be another case of China presenting an overhyped or unverified prototype. However, with a wide range of footage circulating on the internet, it appears that China has indeed reached a key milestone in its military aviation development.
The available images and videos reveal a fighter jet that appears considerably larger than even the J-20, which is already regarded as a formidable aircraft.
Popular military analyst and observer Rick Joe, who closely follows developments within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), noted that while the J-20S is already a sizable aircraft, the new plane displayed alongside it seems to take size to “a whole other level.”
From the footage, it is clear that the aircraft features a unique design, including three engines—two located at the bottom of the fuselage and one positioned on top, with an intake above the center engine.
The jet also seems to be equipped with side and upper air intakes, a dual-bogey main undercarriage, and split airbrakes or flaperons, which indicate its advanced aerodynamic and performance features.
Joe pointed out that despite having three engines, the aircraft would likely have ample internal space for various payloads or additional technological systems.
However, some experts remain cautious in their assessment of the aircraft’s role. Justin Bronk, another respected defense analyst, voiced intrigue over China’s decision to fly the prototype during daylight hours, which he believes is significant in terms of its strategic messaging.
Despite the attention surrounding the new fighter, Bronk warned against immediately categorizing it as China’s equivalent to the US Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.
He speculated that it might instead be part of a regional bomber or strike fighter program, possibly referred to as the JH-XX, which could complement China’s broader military capabilities in the region rather than focusing solely on air superiority.
However, Joe expressed skepticism, stating, “I’m very doubtful of this thing being JH-XX. Without going into details, the grapevine leading up to predicting this thing describes it as an A2A platform first (with the usual system of systems, CCA trends).”
He also suggested that the concept of a “fighter” may become increasingly outdated with time.
Shenyang Joins The Race: Another Chinese Sixth-Generation Jet Takes Flight?
As the details surrounding China’s sixth-generation fighter jet developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) began to surface, the internet was soon flooded with a new image that sparked discussions that Beijing may not have tested just one, but two prototypes of its sixth-generation fighter jets.
It appears that CAC’s rival, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, has also been working on a next-generation fighter. Reports suggest that the Shenyang prototype made its maiden flight on December 20, just days before the Chengdu jet’s public appearance. However, the details cannot be independently confirmed by the EurAsian Times.
While both jets may be part of China’s push for sixth-generation fighter capabilities, their designs differ significantly. Compared to Chengdu’s prototype, which features a tri-engine configuration, the Shenyang design adopts a simpler twin-engine setup.
The Shenyang jet is somewhat smaller in comparison. In terms of aerodynamics, the Chengdu fighter boasts delta wings, which are known for their high-speed stability, while the Shenyang design is equipped with swept wings, optimizing it for maneuverability at various speeds.
One key similarity between the two prototypes is their tailless configuration. Both aircraft lack the traditional vertical and horizontal stabilizers. This aligns with a design philosophy that prioritizes stealth, reduced radar signature, and possibly advanced flight characteristics.
China’s New Aircraft Sets A New Benchmark?
As several nations advance their own sixth-generation fighter programs, China’s achievement highlights the rapid pace of technological progress in aerial warfare.
This development has far-reaching implications, particularly for the United States, which is also working on a next-generation air superiority fighter under its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
China’s progress is expected to push the US to accelerate its own plans. The US Air Force (USAF) has already conducted maiden test flights of a prototype for the NGAD program.
In 2020, the USAF revealed that a full-scale flight demonstrator “has already flown in the physical world. It’s broken a lot of records in the doing.” However, the US has recently paused the contract award for the NGAD fighter as military officials reassess the aircraft’s requirements.
Following China’s latest achievement, Tim Robinson, editor-in-chief of Aerospace magazine, speculated that this could be a factor in the US reconsidering its NGAD plans.
Robinson referenced rumors from the summer suggesting a shift in threat assessments that could explain the rethinking of the program’s direction.
Across the Atlantic, several European nations are also working on next-generation fighter projects. The United Kingdom and Italy have joined forces with Japan on the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), which seeks to produce a next-generation fighter jet by the early 2030s.
Meanwhile, France, Germany, and Spain are collaborating on their own sixth-generation fighter program, though progress has been slow and marred by internal controversies.
However, the rapid pace of China’s advancements highlights the urgency of the West’s development of long-range, sixth-generation strike fighters capable of countering China’s growing capabilities.
Dr. Malcolm Davis, a Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, emphasized the need to move beyond short-range fighters, especially given the demands of the Indo-Pacific operational environment.
He argued that the region requires fighters with hemispheric range, high payload capacity, and strong connectivity with autonomous wingmen. The UK’s GCAP is already heading in this direction, and it appears that China’s new fighter may share similar attributes.
Davis further highlighted, “This and GCAP may demand some urgent re-thinking in regards to NGAD, I think. Especially if the Chinese can introduce this into service quickly – it’s flying in 2024/25 – NGAD won’t enter service for another ten years.”
The accelerating pace of China’s military aviation technology demands an urgent rethinking of how Western nations approach next-generation fighter development.
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