On December 26th, a surge of social media content revealed two novel Chinese combat aircraft undergoing flight testing, marking a significant leap in China’s aerospace capabilities. This unveiling coincides with the 13th anniversary of the J-20 stealth fighter’s rollout and Mao Zedong’s 131st birthday, adding a layer of symbolic significance. The simultaneous emergence of these aircraft suggests a coordinated effort to showcase China’s rapidly advancing military technology.
The first aircraft, a large, three-engine warplane with a distinctive diamond-shaped wing and no vertical stabilizers, immediately drew attention. This design choice implies reliance on split rudders for yaw control, a feature reminiscent of the B-2 Spirit bomber, suggesting a focus on stealth and maneuverability. The engine configuration, featuring a dorsal inlet with a diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) for enhanced stealth and two ventral inlets with caret-shaped intakes, indicates a complex propulsion system aimed at both performance and reduced radar cross-section. The absence of a DSI on the ventral inlets, however, could represent a trade-off between stealth and engine efficiency. The aircraft’s substantial ventral fuselage likely houses an internal weapons bay, while the dual-wheel main landing gear suggests a heavy payload capacity, aligning with the characteristics of a fighter-bomber like the Su-34. The presence of a J-20S during the test flight implies a potential chase or escort role, further emphasizing the significance of the new aircraft. Justin Bronk’s assessment that this aircraft could be the long-awaited JH-XX regional bomber, designed for low-observable precision strikes across the Indo-Pacific, is plausible given its size and configuration. However, he also acknowledges the possibility of it being a prototype for China’s 6th generation fighter program, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding its precise role.
The second aircraft, revealed hours later, presents a more conventional fighter design with a cranked arrow wing planform and potentially folding tailfins. This configuration suggests a focus on high speed and maneuverability. While the exact date of these images is uncertain, a timestamp of December 22, 2024, appeared in one post, indicating recent testing. The simultaneous appearance of two distinct aircraft designs suggests parallel development programs aimed at fulfilling different strategic needs.
The timing of these unveilings, coupled with the apparent lack of censorship efforts, suggests a deliberate, albeit unofficial, public display of China’s military progress. This public display can be interpreted as a message to regional and global powers, showcasing China’s growing military technological prowess. The development of these aircraft aligns with existing intelligence, such as the U.S. Department of Defense’s China Military Power Report, which highlights China’s focus on developing the H-20 long-range bomber and the JH-XX fighter-bomber, as well as its pursuit of a sixth-generation fighter. Therefore, the emergence of these aircraft is not an isolated event but rather a tangible manifestation of China’s ongoing military modernization efforts.
