CAC’s new aircraft has broken cover, with a twin-seat J-20S flying as its chase aircraft, although observers are still debating whether this is the rumored sixth-generation fighter aircraft or the fifth-generation regional bomber confirmed under development.
On Dec. 26, 2024, footage and images of what could be China’s very first sixth-generation aircraft started circulating online. The day is a special date for China, as Dec. 26 is the birthday of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The aircraft was accompanied by a twin-seater J-20S, still in its factory primer, acting as a safety chase for the flight.
The identity of this aircraft is still unknown, as observers are now divided between the sixth-generation J-XX fighter and the fifth-generation JH-XX regional bomber. The latter was reported to be in development together with the H-20 stealth heavy bomber.
Fascinating that the PLAAF/CCP have chosen to fly this prototype in daylight now…
I’d be cautious about attributing it as China’s NGAD-equivalent 6th gen fighter though. I suspect more likely to be the 5th Gen regional bomber/strike fighter project sometimes called J/H-XX https://t.co/Jwv8Ka5kT4
— Justin Bronk (@Justin_Br0nk) December 26, 2024
Calling it JHXX aka a Bomber until mainland watchers suggest a desig
Thats one chonky monster pic.twitter.com/lcJIXEoACU
— Húrin (@Hurin92) December 26, 2024
The flight took place at Chengdu Aircraft Corporation’s (CAC) headquarters in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. CAC is part of the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) network, and produces frontline fighters like the J-10 and J-20 for the PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force).
来个特写，难道是传说中的六代机 https://t.co/1URzZ9uG7a pic.twitter.com/Dh9Go5N9En
— Eason Mao☢ (@KELMAND1) December 26, 2024
The sighting of the new aircraft comes days after renderings of a next-generation aircraft for China circulated online, and CAC closed its Chengfei Park from Dec. 12 to Dec. 31. Some believe that this closure might be linked to this first flight – especially because the park offers a view to the company’s runway.
Just an idea 💡given the recent rumours about a new aircraft – some say a 6th gen. fighter, others a JH-XX stealth striker or even something completely different – that may be unveiled at CAC soon, how about a competition to post sketches & see who came closest to the real one?😆 pic.twitter.com/H2Vuh22Gjm
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) December 21, 2024
Although not much is known about this very peculiar airframe as of yet, we will continue to update this article as new details become available.
Details from the photos
The aircraft appears to be structurally very similar to a concept model unveiled at Zhuhai Airshow in 2022, although with minor adjustments such as the number of engines and an extra air intake. With limited details available about the airframe and its role, let’s see what we can find in the images emerged so far.
Zhuhai Air Show 🇨🇳
6th Gen Fighter Aircraft Concept
PLAAF Loves Tailless Jet Design pic.twitter.com/hyTPqZlHGT
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) November 6, 2022
The first aspect that immediately catches the eye is the size of the aircraft, as it appears to be much larger than the chase J-20. Judging by the photos, the aircraft is at least one and a half times the size of the J-20, with put it at roughly a 30 m length and 20 m wingspan (the J-20 being 20.4 m long with a 13.5 m wingspan).
What a unique configuration …
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via @OedoSoldier pic.twitter.com/7vG6E3GElf
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) December 26, 2024
Because of this, the aircraft is likely very heavy and, in fact, appears to be propelled by three engines. Two squared intakes can be seen below the wing and, while one is sitting above the fuselage and behind the cockpit. Although the type of engines used are still unclear, China is currently developing a multitude of engines for fighter aircraft, such as the WS-15 for the J-20 and WS-19 for the J-35.
Wow😯… I‘m still flashed but at first sight, this type seems to be huge in comparison to even a J-20S and indeed features three engines with two bottom and one air-intake on top of the fuselage for the center engine. pic.twitter.com/d42NhZmdPv
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) December 26, 2024
The aircraft appears to be a flying wing design, without vertical tail surfaces, based on a pretty large diamond wing. To be more precise, it could be even considered a compound wing with a delta section, whose leading edge root extension reaches the front of the aircraft, and a diamond wing with a low aspect ratio in the back.
The clearest image of this Chinese next generation aircraft so far.
— Ryan Chan 陳家翹 (@kakiuchan.bsky.social) December 26, 2024 at 5:46 PM
Many surfaces can be seen on the trailing edge of the wing, some of which are deployed. Among them, the aircraft seems to have split drag rudders, elevons, and flaps much like the U.S. B-2A stealth bomber, although its tail area does not feature the same signature sawtooth-like edges on the B-2.
The aircraft is equipped with a conventional tricycle-type landing gear, with the nose gear having twin wheels and the main gear having tandem wheels similar to the ones of the Su-34 Fullback. This further confirms the heavy weight of the aircraft, possibly pointing at the aircraft being a regional bomber.
In the images shot from the side, possibly during a turn, the aircraft appears to have a cockpit with a single piece canopy, although it is unclear if it is a single seat or, more likely, a two seat aircraft.
