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Continued Flight Testing of China’s Next-Generation Fighters Reveals New Insights

The flight testing of China’s latest next-generation fighter jet designs is progressing steadily, yielding significant insights into both aircraft models. Recent images of the larger fighter, unofficially dubbed the J-36, provide an unprecedented view of its three-engine exhaust configuration, as well as suggest the potential for a two-seat cockpit. Meanwhile, images of the smaller variant, known as the J-XDS or J-50, reveal an interesting structural design feature—an aerodynamic bay situated immediately behind the air intake, along with its distinctive swiveling wingtip control surfaces.

TWZ has earlier published a comprehensive analysis of both the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50, which can be found here.

While there are no substantial indications suggesting the recent photos and videos of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 are manipulated, it remains a potential, albeit unlikely, scenario. Some representations of the aircraft have been enhanced using generative artificial intelligence (AI), which are circulating online. Additionally, many modern smartphone cameras apply similar smoothing effects by default.

The latest visuals of the J-36 were purportedly captured in Chengdu, where the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, its primary manufacturing facility is located.

These new images of the J-36 offer the most detailed view yet of its engine exhausts, which are a characteristic feature of the aircraft. The latest depiction shows ‘petals’ that extend over the exhaust trenches, situated just inboard of the aircraft’s trailing edge. This observation reinforces TWZ’s previous assertion regarding the J-36’s exhaust design, which bears notable similarities to that of Northrop’s YF-23. The YF-23 was known for its innovative intake design, which included boundary layer control features designed to optimize airflow, detailed here.

Past commentary on the J-36’s exhaust configuration highlighted its strategic design aimed at minimizing radar and infrared signatures:

“This is a clear low-observable play both for radar and infrared signature management. Recessing the engine exhaust before the aircraft’s upper trailing edge is a classic low-observable design element that Northrop largely pioneered with the Tacit Blue, B-2 Spirit, and YF-23. The ejected exhaust is dispersed and potentially cooled by the surrounding structure, considerably minimizing line-of-sight visibility to the engines, thereby reducing both infrared and radar signatures from most angles.”

The recent footage of the J-36 also hints at a possible two-seat cockpit configuration, a speculation supported by the observation of dual heads-up displays, as noted by Andreas Rupprecht, a knowledgeable observer of Chinese military technology, here.

In addition, fresh images and footage of the J-XDS/J-50 from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation have emerged in recent weeks, showcasing the prototype with its landing gear extended, although the quality of these images remains lacking.

Notably, a pronounced bulge in a bay has been captured on the right side of the J-XDS/J-50 fuselage, positioned just behind the air intake and in front of the main landing gear bay. The purpose of this bay, such as whether it is designed for weapon storage or serves another function, still remains undetermined. This feature bears resemblance to the weapon bays on China’s J-20 stealth fighter, where missiles deploy along with their launch rails prior to firing, which can be read about here.

The J-XDS/J-50’s swiveling wingtip control surfaces are also evolving into a clearer focus, providing insights into their role in enhancing the aircraft’s stability. TWZ has elaborated on the implications of adopting such tailless design characteristics in previous articles.

While the advancements regarding the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 are noteworthy, they are merely a glimpse into the broader development strides being made in Chinese military aviation, alongside ongoing secretive military projects that may not yet be public.

Additionally, a satellite image surfaced today featuring an object resembling a stealth fighter, characterized by a diamond-like delta shape, canards, and twin vertical stabilizers, captured at Jining Qufu Airport in Shandong Province. Notably, this object has been visible since at least September 2024, leading to more questions about its purpose, especially given that the airport was closed in December 2023 as part of its previous association with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s Jining Air Base, according to reports.

The current object at Jining appears to be a mock-up, possessing superficial similarities yet significant differences from the Baidi Type-B, also known as the “White Emperor,” a fictitious design previously touted by AVIC at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow.

Similarities have also been drawn to the vaguely J-20-esque shapes observed at Lintao Air Base in 2022, although architectural details concerning the wings and nose of the Jining object suggest it is distinct from those earlier forms, which themselves might have been mock-ups or decoys.

Recent social media video footage hints at a potentially new advanced Chinese aircraft, albeit its details remain elusive due to the quality and distance of the shots. The craft does not correspond neatly with any established designs, further fueling speculation regarding its identity. Current reports suggest China is in the process of testing at least a third new platform, situated in northern regions, contrasting with the known tailless designs now operating.

Historically, sudden appearances of new Chinese aircraft designs have not been uncommon, as evidenced by the unanticipated emergence of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 late last year, which had previously drawn no public attention.

The ongoing testing of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 undoubtedly continues to unveil new aspects of these innovative designs. As previously speculated, we anticipate closer-to-high-resolution images will likely surface by early summer, fitting the pattern established by previous disclosures from China.

Should other advanced aircraft projects in China approach their final development phases, additional details may also soon come to light.

Source
www.yahoo.com