A few hours ago, social media and the specialist community have been in a state of turmoil following the first recording of what could be one of the future sixth-generation stealth fighter-bombers of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Through the multitude of images and videos of the event recorded in China, which occurred today, December 26, speculation and analysis are underway regarding the characteristics of the combat aircraft, which features a distinctive flying wing design without a vertical stabilizer or tail.
Over the past months, various features and capabilities of the future generation of combat aircraft have been disclosed. One of the potential hallmarks of this sixth generation could be the predominance of aircraft with a flying wing fuselage design, similar to that of the B-2 bombers and the more advanced B-21 Raider of the U.S. Air Force. This design aims to maximize stealth and low observability, addressing future high-intensity conflict scenarios like the one currently unfolding in Ukraine, where the proliferation of radars, drones, air defense, and satellite systems prevents either side from achieving air superiority.
For instance, this is reflected in the design of the new B-21 Raider of the USAF, currently undergoing flight testing by Northrop Grumman, one of the pioneering firms in the practical application of this design concept, dating back decades and finally realized with the introduction of the B-2 Spirit. Additionally, various conceptual designs released by companies indicate, to varying degrees, that this could be the common design foundation for the next generation of aircraft.
Today, as reported by multiple Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) sources, the flight of what could be the first of this new class of next-generation stealth aircraft currently under development in the People’s Republic of China was recorded.
Although several additional details are still unavailable, such as the location of the flight tests, it is presumed that they originated from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation facilities. The images reveal various details. The first, related to the test itself, is that it was conducted in conjunction with a sixth-generation J-20 fighter of the PLAAF, specifically the new two-seater version of the Mighty Dragon, officially designated as the J-20 and unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow last November.
Focusing on the images of the new Chinese aircraft, which does not yet have an official designation nor has the Chinese Ministry of Defense issued an official statement, several features are noticeable. The first is that it is a manned aircraft with a tailless flying wing design, lacking a vertical stabilizer. Furthermore, while exact measurements are unavailable, it appears to have larger dimensions than even the two-seater version of the J-20 that accompanied its flight.
This raises several questions about the possible role this new stealth aircraft could fulfill. While it has been mentioned that it could be a new fighter, the observed dimensions suggest the possibility of a specialized attack or tactical bomber aircraft, or a platform for launching various types and ranges of missiles.
One reason for this assumption is that adopting a flying wing design configuration, despite advancements in control systems that assist pilots—now further supported by Artificial Intelligence—represents a trade-off. In this case, reducing the radar and thermal signature of the aircraft takes precedence over maneuverability, allowing these aircraft to operate undetected within a theater of operations saturated with air defense systems, electronic warfare, and all types of radars. Another advantage of this design is improved aerodynamic efficiency, potentially enabling greater range, endurance, and sustained cruising speed. Additionally, based on the observed size, it is speculated that the cockpit could accommodate a pilot and co-pilot, although the arrangement remains undetermined.
However, the unique features of China’s new aircraft are not limited to its design but also include the configuration of its air intakes. All the images conclusively show that it has three air intakes: two located in a traditional arrangement on each side of the fuselage, and a third situated on the upper section behind the cockpit. This has also sparked speculation about whether the aircraft is powered by two or three engines, with some suggesting it might be equipped with the WS-10C turbofan engine, also used by the J-20.
Without further details, the following types of aircraft can be inferred: first, a stealth tactical bomber; second, an advanced technology demonstrator; and third, albeit less likely, a significantly modified new version of the J-20 fighter. What is certain is that this flight, conducted in broad daylight in front of thousands of people, represents a deliberate effort by Chinese political, military, and aerospace authorities to showcase to the world—and potential adversaries—the advances achieved by the Asian giant in developing the next generation of stealth combat aircraft.
