A visual analysis of China’s latest combat jet reveals a daunting and capable high-speed aircraft
Image Source: Getty
Images and videos of a new Chinese combat aircraft in flight that surfaced on 26 December, coinciding with the birthday of Communist Chinese Leader Mao Zedong, stunned observers. While the term “sixth-generation” is already being thrown around, this aircraft is more likely a fifth-generation development of existing stealth fighter programmes. Given the location of the flight and two-seat J-20S chase plane, this is almost certainly a Chengdu product.
The new jet is a tailless ‘flying wing’, a configuration preferred for high levels of all-aspect radar stealth across multiple frequencies, although usually at the expense of manoeuvrability. Stealth optimisation is particularly important given the aircraft’s large size. While smaller than a strategic bomber, comparisons with the escorting J-20S make it clear that the new jet is longer and significantly wider than the J-20, which is already a very large fighter. The dimensions and configurations suggest markedly higher payload and range figures than the J-20, either making this a very long-range air superiority fighter or a tactical medium-range bomber. There is nothing in the available imagery that implies a specific role for this aircraft. Given that responsible for the development and production of large transport aircraft and strategic bombers (designated Y-XX and H-XX respectively), it stands to reason that this new Chengdu aircraft will either receive a JH-XX designation for the fighter-bomber class or J-XX for the fighter class in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). For this analysis, it will be referred to as J/JH-XX.
The new jet is a tailless ‘flying wing’, a configuration preferred for high levels of all-aspect radar stealth across multiple frequencies, although usually at the expense of manoeuvrability.
The new aircraft’s wing shape is a modified delta/diamond, with a multitude of trailing edge control surfaces, including split outboard ailerons for yaw control and braking. Its leading-edge starts far forward, flowing from the chines of a fighter-style nose cone, with a sharp inboard sweep angle until about a third of the way down, where the sweepback relaxes, though it maintains an aggressive angle overall. All of this points to a design optimised for high speeds. A tandem-wheeled main landing gear and twin-wheel nose gear also suggest a heavyweight aircraft with a payload range well over the J-20. With the J-20 estimated as having a combat radius in the region of 1,500-2,000km, the J/H-XX could approach or exceed the 2,500-km combat radius of the Xi’an H-6K, presently the longest-ranged PLAAF bomber. Coupled with the potential for supersonic speeds, this would make the J/JH-XX an incredibly dangerous machine, peerless in the region. The supersonic optimisations point to a focus on air combat, as strike aircraft and bombers rarely privilege outright speed. It may well be possible that the PLAAF has made considered concessions on agility for a fast and long-ranged air combat jet.
Uniquely, this aircraft appears to be powered by three engines, instead of the usual two. The central engine is fed by a dorsal intake that seems to be a diverterless supersonic design, while the other two are fed by a pair of conventional trapezoidal intakes below the wing, flanking a voluminous payload bay. All three exit side-by-side at the centre of the aft fuselage, through rectangular exhausts reminiscent of the Northrop YF-23 and B-2 stealth bomber. While circular jet nozzles are typically preferred for supersonic performance, aircraft such as the F-22 and YF-23 manage Mach 2+ speeds and supercruise even with rectangular exhausts of varying configurations. The JH-XX appears to have a smooth underbody all the way to the trailing edge, which could mean that Chengdu has opted for a YF-23 style single expansion ramp nozzle (SERN). Assuming similar levels of nozzle performance, this would be a significant technological achievement, undoubtedly helped along by existing Chinese investment into scramjets and hypersonics.
Its leading-edge starts far forward, flowing from the chines of a fighter-style nose cone, with a sharp inboard sweep angle until about a third of the way down, where the sweepback relaxes, though it maintains an aggressive angle overall.
On the face of it, three engines burn 50 percent more fuel than two, but there are plenty of variables that make the arithmetic much less straightforward. There could be specific operational requirements such as higher take-off weight, high supersonic dash speeds, or supercruise that necessitate three engines.
Other design features, such as the shape of the forward fuselage and the presence of a canopy, suggest that this is probably a crewed or at least optionally crewed aircraft.
Although very clearly not a direct derivative of the J-20, nor indeed copied from any extant fifth-generation aircraft, the new J/JH-XX appears similar in concept and role to the abandoned Lockheed Martin FB-22 or F-16U—a scaled-up supersonic delta-wing aircraft derived from an existing jet, endowed with greater range and payload at the cost of manoeuvrability. The J/JH-XX has clearly taken that idea much further, ending up with an aircraft that shares only technological elements with its forebearer, pushing the envelope on performance more aggressively.
The new aircraft will bring to bear daunting payload, range, and endurance capabilities in the region, complicating the military equation for China’s neighbours as well as more distant challengers such as the United States (US) and multinational groupings like AUKUS —a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the US—and the Quad—a grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the US. It is also well placed to take advantage of emerging developments in manned-unmanned teaming, combat aircraft autonomy, and directed energy weapons.
There could be specific operational requirements such as higher take-off weight, high supersonic dash speeds, or supercruise that necessitate three engines.
The Government of India formed a new committee earlier this month, under the Defence Secretary, comprising the Secretary (Defence Production), DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) Chairman, and Deputy Chief of Air Staff, to “look into the overall capability development” of the Indian Air Force. With a fighter fleet standing at three-quarters of the required size, and critical gaps in munitions, force multipliers and space assets, it remains to be seen what headway this new body can make in measuring up to the challenges posed by the PLAAF.
Angad Singh was a Project Coordinator with the Strategic Studies Programme at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Angad Singh was a Project Coordinator with ORFs Strategic Studies Programme.
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