3 Unbelievable Chinese Aircraft Spotted: Experts Baffled

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3 Unbelievable Chinese Aircraft Spotted: Experts Baffled

3 Unbelievable Chinese Aircraft Spotted: Experts Baffled China has introduced a groundbreaking evaluation standard for its sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, aiming to push the boundaries of stealth material technology under multi-angle radar exposure across all frequency bands, according to researchers involved in the project.

This new testing framework imposes far stricter requirements than current military standards. It demands stealth materials to be lightweight, thin, and capable of absorbing both high-frequency electromagnetic waves from advanced radars and low-frequency signals from anti-stealth radars. The materials must also maintain low radar detectability when exposed from various directions. Additionally, the coating on the engine’s exhaust nozzle is tested for its ability to neutralize even faint electromagnetic waves.

In a recent study published in Advances in Aeronautical Science and Engineering on November 25, Zhou Hai and his team from the AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute revealed that this standard allows for precise evaluation of stealth material performance across all frequency bands. The team noted that it has already been used to select materials for a cutting-edge stealth aircraft.

The described aircraft matches a new Chinese stealth fighter jet spotted in Chengdu on December 26, Mao Zedong’s birthday. It features an aerodynamic design likened to a ginkgo leaf and is rumored to be powered by three engines, including one with a rear-mounted air intake.

Experts speculate this tailless aircraft could be the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet, designed for versatility. Beyond air combat, it may be capable of striking ground, sea, and space targets. It could also serve as a command hub for electronic warfare or drone swarms.

Stealth performance remains a critical challenge. Current anti-stealth radars can detect fifth-generation jets like the F-35 from significant distances, partly due to electromagnetic scattering caused by engine components. Similarly, the stealth coatings of such jets can lose effectiveness depending on radar angles and frequencies, an issue that has slowed progress on the U.S. NGAD program.

The Chengdu team highlighted that their new standard minimizes inaccuracies seen in older evaluation methods, making it more suitable for real-world applications. They acknowledged the lack of comparable public standards globally, emphasizing the uniqueness of their approach.

Images Reveal New Chinese Military Aircraft Designs, Experts Weigh In

Key Points:

• Online images and videos showcase two new Chinese aircraft with stealthy designs.
• Experts highlight their innovative features but stress that performance details remain unclear.
• Global competition intensifies in the race for next-generation combat aircraft.

3 Unbelievable Chinese Aircraft Spotted: Experts Baffled Blurry images of two previously unseen Chinese military aircraft surfaced online, drawing attention for their advanced, stealth-focused designs. Defense analysts noted that while the designs demonstrate clear innovation, the limited visual data makes it impossible to assess performance.

Both aircraft feature a tailless design, forgoing vertical stabilizers. Stability is likely maintained via computerized flight control systems that interpret pilot inputs.

The larger aircraft has a distinctive diamond-shaped body and three engine air intakes—two along the fuselage and one on top—an unconventional configuration. The smaller aircraft has a more traditional layout but also lacks a tail. Both designs exhibit the absence of 90-degree angles, a characteristic of stealth shaping aimed at reducing radar detection.

Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, praised the originality of the designs, noting that they highlight China’s willingness to innovate. He remarked, “This should dispel any complacency among the U.S. and its allies that they always set the pace in aviation.”

China’s Ministry of Defense declined to comment, while the U.S. Department of Defense acknowledged awareness of the images but refrained from adding details beyond its recent report on China’s military.

The Sixth-Generation Race
3 Unbelievable Chinese Aircraft Spotted: Experts Baffled The U.S. is advancing its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter. Meanwhile, Europe and Asia are collaborating on the Global Combat Air Programme, with the U.K. and Japan forming a joint company for the initiative.

Videos of the larger Chinese aircraft flying over Chengdu were verified by Reuters, using landmarks and satellite imagery. However, the exact date remains unconfirmed.

Although not the first tailless aircraft, these new Chinese designs add to a growing list of stealthy platforms, including the Northrop Grumman B-2 and B-21 bombers and the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 drone.

Experts remain cautious about labeling the Chinese aircraft as “next-generation.” While their designs are novel, details about stealth effectiveness, speed, maneuverability, and onboard systems are absent. Peter Layton, an aviation expert at Griffith Asia Institute, pointed out that Chinese aircraft often incorporate unique features that are not repeated in future models.

China’s J-20 and J-35 jets are known for their stealth characteristics, though only the J-20 is operational, and detailed capabilities remain undisclosed.

Strategic Implications
3 Unbelievable Chinese Aircraft Spotted: Experts Baffled China’s decision to fly these new aircraft during the day over urban areas raises questions. Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, suggested this public display might be an attempt to influence U.S. discussions on NGAD’s future direction. She noted that aircraft development may offer China a more immediate opportunity to compete with the U.S., compared to uncrewed systems and missiles.