Footage launched on October 28 has confirmed {that a} second prototype of the Chengdu Plane Company’s very heavy extremely lengthy vary sixth technology fighter plane is now in flight testing levels. This follows the disclosing of the primary prototype in December 2024, which was the primary sixth technology fighter confirmed to be in flight testing anyplace on the planet. The brand new plane has notable variations from its predecessors, together with new angular exhaust nozzles relatively than recessed exhausts seen on the previous mannequin. The brand new exhausts resemble these used to offer thrust vector management. As sixth technology fighters use no tail fins to extend stealth, not solely is the variety of management surfaces elevated to compensate for this, nevertheless it has additionally been speculated that they may combine thrust vectoring engines for added management, which direct the route of the engine’s exhaust to extend plane stability. The exhaust is extra closely serrated doubtless to enhance the plane’s stealth capabilities.
The brand new sixth technology plane has a novel triple engine configuration with one dorsal and two decrease air intakes. The intakes beforehand used caret-like design, however now use divertless supersonic consumption which might be thought of higher optimised for stealth. An additional conspicuous change is the usage of new touchdown gear, with wheels aspect by aspect relatively than in tandem. That is probably the most uncommon main change, and should signify a response to suggestions from operations utilizing the primary plane. Ought to the brand new fighter program observe the precedent set by its direct predecessor from the fifth technology, the J-20, then two demonstrator airframes shall be constructed earlier than this system strikes on to a extra manufacturing consultant prototype stage. The J-20 notably moved from its first demonstrator flight to service entry in simply six years and one month, with an analogous improvement time for the brand new fighter placing it on schedule to enter service in January 2031. This projected schedule is years forward of that anticipated for the U.S. Air Drive’s personal sixth technology fighter the F-47.
In early June a brand new picture of the very heavy sixth technology fighter offered what’s so far the clearest frontal view of the plane, and confirmed three open ventral weapons bays with a capability for ordinance that seems to be a number of instances that of fifth technology fighters such because the F-35 or J-20. That is anticipated to permit the fighter to hold massive portions of ballistic missiles, and outsized missile designs such because the PL-17 for very lengthy vary air-to-air engagements, or numerous longer vary cruise missiles. With surrounding personnel offering a sign of scale, the sheer measurement of the fighter’s nostril cone signifies {that a} notably massive radar is meant to be accommodated, probably permitting the plane to have interaction targets at excessive ranges exceeding 400 kilometres with out assist from airborne early warning and management (AEW&C) techniques.
The power to function independently deep into enemy managed territory is more likely to be a number one requirement of the brand new fighter, which is by far the most important on the planet. The a lot smaller J-20 already has a big vary benefit over any of its Western counterparts with a fight radius estimated at over 2000 kilometres in comparison with round 1000 kilometres for its American rival the F-35. The brand new fighter is anticipated to have a fight radius of over 4000 kilometres, which is achieved utilizing extra environment friendly engines and by accommodating a a lot increased gasoline capability. Mixed with superior stealth capabilities, this may permit the plane to have interaction hostile plane far over the Pacific, together with these transiting from Guam or Wake Island to Japan or the Philippines, thus making Western Bloc air operations within the area much more advanced. The plane is being developed alongside not less than two different sorts of lighter sixth technology fighter, one in all which is being developed by the Shenyang Plane Company and has comparable dimensions to the J-20. Exterior China, no different nation is anticipated to unveil a sixth technology fighter at flight demonstrator levels till near the 12 months 2030.
