New images reveal innovative designs of Chinese military aircraft, according to experts

Images surfaced online on Friday depicting two seemingly new Chinese military aircraft featuring stealth characteristics. Defense analysts noted that while the designs appear advanced, the lack of detailed information prevents any definitive assessments.

Both aircraft are tailless, lacking vertical stabilizers that typically aid in maintaining control. Instead, stability is managed by onboard computers that interpret the pilot’s inputs.

The larger aircraft exhibits a diamond-like shape with an unconventional engine configuration, featuring three air intakes—two located along the fuselage and one positioned on top. The smaller aircraft adopts a more traditional design but also lacks a tail. Both models exhibit the absence of 90-degree angles, a hallmark of stealth design aimed at minimizing radar visibility.

As China continues to modernize its military capabilities, Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, remarked that these designs reflect the Chinese aviation industry’s commitment to experimentation and innovation.

“Regardless of their strengths or weaknesses, these designs are notably original,” he stated. “They deserve recognition for their creativity and should dispel any complacency regarding the pace set by the U.S. and its allies.” The Chinese defense ministry has not yet responded to inquiries for comment, while the U.S. Department of Defense acknowledged awareness of the reports but refrained from further commentary beyond its recent annual military report on China.

SIXTH-GENERATION FIGHTER JETS

The United States is progressing with its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter jet. However, the direction of this program under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration remains uncertain.
In Europe and Asia, a collaborative effort is underway to create a next-generation aircraft through the Global Combat Air Programme, which has recently seen the formation of a joint venture between British and Japanese companies.

Reuters has verified a video depicting one of the two new Chinese aircraft in flight over Chengdu by correlating nearby structures, signage, logos, and trees with satellite images and previously recorded visuals. The authenticity of the date remains unconfirmed.
The Chinese aircraft showcased in the online footage are not the first modern tailless designs. The Northrop Grumman B-2 and B-21 stealth bombers are both flying wing configurations, and several unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 and China’s CH-7, also feature a tailless design.
Currently, neither of the Chinese jets has been assigned an official designation. While their designs are innovative compared to the rest of China’s fleet, it is challenging to assess their stealth capabilities, maneuverability, speed, or the advanced avionics they may possess—key factors necessary to evaluate whether they qualify as “next-generation” aircraft, according to five defense experts.
Peter Layton, a defense and aviation specialist at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, emphasized the difficulty in categorizing Chinese aircraft with labels like fifth-generation, which typically refers to current stealth jets such as the F-22 and F-35, due to the unique design elements that often do not recur in other models.

China’s J-20 and J-35 possess stealth features, yet their specific capabilities remain undisclosed, with only the J-20 currently operational. In response to China’s activities in the Indo-Pacific, the United States has been investing heavily in advanced missile systems and other technologies aimed at deterrence. Recently, a missile interception system was tested on the strategically important island of Guam, utilizing sophisticated radar technology.

Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in the U.S., remarked on China’s daytime flights of new aircraft designs over urban areas, describing it as “curious.” She suggested that China may find it easier to keep pace with the U.S. in terms of manned aircraft rather than unmanned systems and missiles. “As the Pentagon is actively debating the future of NGAD, it is hard not to wonder if this is Beijing’s attempt to influence that debate,” she noted.

In a separate development, Chinese state media outlet Xinhua reported that the People’s Liberation Army Navy has launched its latest amphibious assault ship.