China’s New Warplanes Take Flight, Sparking Global Buzz

China has unveiled two advanced combat aircraft in a dramatic showcase captured in photos and videos circulating on social media. The appearances on December 26 spotlight two distinct aircraft designs, further solidifying China’s reputation as a leading innovator in aerospace technology.

One of the aircraft is a large, three-engine warplane featuring a cockpit and a diamond-shaped wing without vertical tails. Yaw control is achieved through split rudders, reminiscent of the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. The engines are fed by a unique combination of a dorsal inlet with stealth-enhancing features and two ventral inlets with caret-shaped intakes.

The ventral fuselage of the aircraft suggests a substantial internal weapons bay, while its main landing gear, equipped with twin wheels, aligns with heavy fighter-bomber designs like the Sukhoi Su-34. Speculation suggests this could be the JH-XX, a regional bomber capable of precision strikes across the Indo-Pacific. However, its potential as a sixth-generation fighter prototype remains under discussion.

Shortly after, a second aircraft was spotted undergoing flight testing. This model features a traditional fighter design, with a cranked arrow planform and possibly folding tailfins. The exact purpose of this aircraft remains unclear.

These sightings coincided with the 13th anniversary of the J-20 stealth fighter’s rollout and the birthday of Mao Zedong. Official Chinese channels have neither confirmed nor denied these developments, though there seems to be no attempt to suppress public discussions.

The U.S. Defense Department’s China Military Power Report has previously highlighted China’s progress on the H-20 long-range stealth bomber, the JH-XX fighter-bomber, and sixth-generation fighter programs. The latest revelations add more weight to China’s ongoing advancements in military aviation.

About The Author

Editor

See author's posts