Experts claim images reveal new, innovative Chinese military aircraft designs
Defense specialists said Friday’s blurry photographs of two ostensibly new Chinese military aircraft with stealthy features were obviously sophisticated designs, but there was insufficient information to draw firm judgments.
Since neither design has vertical stabilizers to aid in control, it is tailless. Usually, computers that decipher the pilot’s control inputs maintain the stability of such aircraft.
The bigger of the two designs has a diamond-like form with three engine air intakes, two on the fuselage and one on top. This is a very uncommon arrangement. The smaller one lacks a tail but has a more traditional design.
The 90-degree angles that are characteristic of stealth shaping, which is intended to lessen radar detection, are absent from both.
According to Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the designs “show the willingness of China’s aviation industry to experiment and innovate” as the country modernizes its military.
“Whatever the merits or demerits, it appears to be a highly original design,” he stated. “They deserve kudos for that and should shake off any lingering complacency that the U.S. and its allies always set the pace.”
A request for comment was not immediately answered by China’s defense ministry. In its annual report on the Chinese military released this month, the U.S. Department of Defense stated that it was “aware of the reports” but offered no further comments.
FIGHTER JET SIXTH GENERATION
Although the United States has been working on a sixth-generation fighter aircraft for years, it is unclear what shape the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program would take under President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
Under the Global Combat Air Program, Europe and Asia are working together to develop a distinct next-generation aircraft, and a joint British-Japanese business was recently unveiled.
By comparing satellite imagery and file photographs with local buildings, signage, logos, and trees, Reuters verified a video that showed the larger of the two new Chinese aircraft flying over Chengdu. It was not possible to independently confirm the date.
The Chinese airplanes in the internet pictures are not the original examples of contemporary tailless designs. A number of uncrewed aircraft, like the Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab RQ-170, and China’s CH-7, lack tails, whereas the Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), opens new tab B-2, and B-21 stealth bombers both have wings.
No official designation for either Chinese airplane has been disclosed to the public. According to five defense experts, even though the designs are new in comparison to the rest of China’s fleet, it is impossible to tell how fast, how maneuverable, or how stealthy they are, or what kind of “under the hood” avionics they carry. This information is necessary to assess whether the designs are actually “next-generation.”
According to Peter Layton, a defense and aviation specialist at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, it is generally challenging to categorize Chinese aircraft with terms like “fifth generation,” which includes modern stealth jets like the F-22 and F-35, because they frequently have distinctive design elements that are never seen again.
China’s J-20 and J-35 are likewise stealthy, but only the J-20 is now in service, and their capabilities are unknown to the general public.
To dissuade China in the Indo-Pacific area, the US has been investing heavily in sophisticated missiles and other systems. It recently used a sophisticated radar to test a missile interception system on the strategically important island of Guam.
“It’s “strange” that China flew the new designs during the day over cities where they were visible,” said Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in the United States.
According to her, China may find it simpler to keep up with the US using airplanes as opposed to uncrewed cars 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 stated.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy launched its newest amphibious assault ship, according to a separate story released by Chinese state media outlet Xinhua on Friday.
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