J-XX

Last updated
J-XX
General information
Type Combat aircraft
National origin People's Republic of China
Designer
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force
History
First flight
Outcome Chengdu develop and produce the Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang develop and produce the Shenyang J-35

J-XX [2] J-X, [2] [3] and XXJ [2] are names applied by Western intelligence agencies to describe programs by the People's Republic of China to develop multiple fifth-generation fighter aircraft. [3] [2] General He Weirong, Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), stated that China had several such programs underway and that an undesignated fifth-generation fighter developed jointly by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) and Shenyang Aerospace Corporation (SAC) would be in service by 2018. [4]

Contents

History

The PLAAF unveiled the program in late 2002. [5] A December 2002 Jane's Defence Weekly reported that Shenyang Aerospace Corporation had been selected to head research and development of the new fighter, [3] which was also stated in the New Scientist the same week. [6] Also, a 2006 article in Military Technology referred to three designs; two by Shenyang Aerospace Corporation and one by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation. [2] One or more of the proposed designs were believed to incorporate several design features for increasing stealth and maneuverability while decreasing weight and drag. [7] [8] [9]

The Chinese state television broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) asserts:

A V-shaped pelikan tail could be implemented, replacing conventional vertical tail fins and horizontal stabiliser structures. This would be beneficial for reduction of radar signature, weight and aerodynamic drag, since control surface area and corresponding control mechanisms are reduced. Problems faced by this type of design are flight control system complexity and control surface loading. If the pelikan tail is adopted, use of engines with thrust vector control may alleviate these problems. [10]

[...] The new fighter may have a significantly longer fuselage than other fifth generation fighter designs, such as the F-22, for reduction of transonic and supersonic drag. [11] A trapezoidal wing may be implemented for reduction of drag and radar signature. [12] Use of an 's'-shaped air inlet and boundary layer separation system would greatly reduce radar signature. [13]

According to Jane's, development of the subsystems, including an engine with thrust vectoring capability, and weapon suite for the next generation fighter had been under development.[ citation needed ] A photograph of a wind tunnel model published with the article showed a twin-engine aircraft with twin vertical tail fins.[ citation needed ] The aircraft would carry its weapons internally like the F-22 Raptor.[ citation needed ]New Scientist called attention to the angular, faceted features of the design, comparing them to the F-117 Nighthawk.[ citation needed ]

In November 2009, General He Weirong, the Deputy Commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force confirmed research and development of the 5th generation stealth fighter, and gave a possible in-service date of 2017 to 2019. [4] [14]

A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency official commenting on General He's statements indicated the DIA believes a first flight of the J-XX "will occur in the next few years".[ citation needed ] The U.S. Department of Defense expects China to have a handful of 5th generation fighters in service between 2020 and 2025, according to statements made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in July 2009. [15] However, a year later, in May 2010, United States intelligence stated that Chinese 5th generation fighter jets will be expected around 2018. [16] In 2011, Gates changed his position to state that China may have 50 stealth fighters by 2020 and a couple of hundred by 2025. [17]

Models

Chengdu J-20

The Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter conducted its first flight on January 11, 2011 and entered service in 2017. [1]

Shenyang J-XX/FC-31/J-35

Shenyang Aerospace Corporation had a proposed J-XX aircraft that was larger than the J-20. In 2008, the PLAAF endorsed Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal, Project 718 (J-20). [18] Having lost the bid, Shenyang subsequently chose to internally develop an export oriented fighter based on its experience from its J-XX proposal, called FC-31. [19] Shenyang FC-31 stealth fighter prototype conducted its first flight in October 31, 2012. Although initially developed without PLA commitment, the aircraft eventually received interest from the PLA Navy as a carrier aircraft, and the design evolved into the Shenyang J-35. [20] [21]

JH-XX

The JH-XX is a supersonic, stealth, tactical bomber/fighter-bomber aircraft under development. JH-XX is the second stealth bomber of China confirmed in existence by the U.S. intelligence community, and the Pentagon speculates the fighter-bomber is capable of long-range strike and nuclear weapons delivery. [22] [23] [24] [25]

Further development

In January 2019, Dr. Wang Haifeng, chief designer of the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) announced that China had begun pre-research on sixth-generation aircraft, predicting that the program would come to fruition by 2035. [26] This program was tentatively named J-XD or sixth-generation J-XX by the Western analysts. [27] [28]

In October 2021, a fighter aircraft with a tailless design was spotted in Chengdu Aircraft Corporation facilities. [29] Intelligence and rumors indicated the Chinese designs would use tailless flying wing or flying arrowhead configuration that can provide greater broadband stealth characteristics compared to the previous generation of fighters, new propulsion technologies, improved sensors allowing the aircraft to operate alongside unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), etc. [30]

In 2018, Chengdu Aerospace Corporation reportedly submitted eight proposals for the sixth-generation fighter design, and four designs were tested in low-altitude wind tunnels. [31] In the same year, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) also reportedly developed prototypes for the next-generation aircraft. [32]

Chengdu J-36

On 26 December 2024, social media photos and videos suggested Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) has publically flown a prototype aircraft in Chengdu, Sichuan. The Chengdu J-36 was spotted flying around an airport owned by CAC and purportdly featured a trijet tailless flying wing design. It was trailed by a Chengdu J-20S twin-seater stealth fighter as the chase plane. [33] [34]

Shenyang J-XD/J-50 prototype

On 26 December 2024, along with the J-36, further social media posts indicated that a second airframe, featuring a cranked arrow configuration with sharply swept wings, was spotted near Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's facilities. [35] Unconfirmed reports suggested the Shenyang fighter made its maiden flight on 20 December 2024. The Shenyang aircraft prototype seemed to be smaller than the Chengdu one. It was trailed by a Shenyang J-16 strike fighter as the chase plane. [36] [37] [38] This aircraft was tentatively named Shenyang J-XD or Shenyang J-50 by analysts, but information is limited. [28] [39] [40]

See also

Related Research Articles

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The Chengdu J-36 is a speculative designation given by military analysts to a trijet tailless double-delta winged aircraft under development by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

JH-XX is a designation applied by Western intelligence agencies to describe programs by the People's Republic of China to develop a regional bomber/tactical bomber/fighter bomber. JH-XX is the second stealth bomber of China confirmed in existence by the U.S. intelligence community, and the Pentagon speculates the fighter-bomber is capable of long-range strikes and nuclear weapons delivery.

The Shenyang J-50 or J-XD is a temporary designation given by military analysts and defense media to a twinjet tailless lambda wing aircraft under development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). The aircraft was observed in flight testing in Liaoning, Shenyang, China in December 2024, which was tentatively named Shenyang J-XD or Shenyang J-50 by analysts, given the limited available information.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 "Chinese Stealth Fighter Makes First Test Flight". Fox News. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Coniglio 2006, P.44
  3. 1 2 3 Chang 2002
  4. 1 2 Govindasamy, 2009
  5. ↑ "The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force rolls out program for the development of a new stealth fighter, the J-X". Journal of Electronic Defense . Association of Old Crows. 1 January 2003. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Knight 2002
  7. ↑ Beckhusen, Robert. "Chinese Smuggler Tried to Sneak Carbon Fiber for Fighter Jets, Feds Claim." Wired Magazine, 28 September 2012.
  8. ↑ Lowther, William. "Taiwanese embroiled in stealth-fighter sting." Taipei Times, 29 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Chinese Avionics Advances Ripple Throughout Asia." Defense News, 20 June 2011.
  10. ↑ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 2.
  11. ↑ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 8.
  12. ↑ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 9.
  13. ↑ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 10.
  14. ↑ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter
  15. ↑ Gates 2009
  16. ↑ "New Chinese fighter jet expected by 2018: U.S. intelligence". Reuters. 21 May 2010.
  17. ↑ Pennington, Matthew. "Gates: Despite early Stealth jet test, China's fighter fleet will lag US for years to come." [ dead link ]The Canadian Press, 17 February 2011.
  18. ↑ "中国空军选定下一代战机由611所方案胜出". War China (in Chinese). 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  19. ↑ I Sutton, H (8 June 2021). "First Sighting Of New Stealth Fighter For Chinese Navy's Aircraft Carriers". Naval News.
  20. ↑ "China unveils new fifth-generation stealth fighter".
  21. ↑ Joe, Rick (18 February 2021). "The FC-31, China's 'Other' Stealth Fighter". The Diplomat. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  22. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (9 April 2018). "Is This China's Stealth Bomber?". popularmechanics.
  23. ↑ Tyler Rogoway and Joseph Trevithick (16 January 2019). "Intel Report Confirms China Developing Stealthy Tactical Bomber In Addition To Strategic Bomber". The Drive.
  24. ↑ Episkopos, Mark (22 November 2019). "China's Mysterious Stealth JH-XX Bomber: A Threat to the U.S. Military?". National Interest.
  25. ↑ Episkopos, Mark (3 December 2020). "China's JH-XX: This Stealth Fighter-Bomber Is a Total Mystery". National Interest.
  26. ↑ Joe, Rick (20 September 2019). "Beyond China's J-20 Stealth Fighter". thediplomat. Trans-Asia Inc. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  27. ↑ Joe, Rick (11 June 2024). "China's 6th Generation and Upcoming Combat Aircraft: 2024 Update". The Diplomat . Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  28. 1 2 Kadidal, Akhil (30 December 2024). "Update: Two Chinese stealth aircraft programmes emerge unexpectedly". Janes.
  29. ↑ Rogoway, Tyler (30 October 2021). "Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Spotted At Chinese Jet Manufacturer's Test Airfield". The War Zone.
  30. ↑ Joe, Rick (11 June 2024). "China's 6th Generation and Upcoming Combat Aircraft: 2024 Update". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  31. ↑ Trimble, Steve (6 February 2023). "Weekly Debrief: What Does A Concept Design Reveal About China's Next Fighter?". Aviation Week.
  32. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (28 September 2022). "China Is Working On Its Own Sixth-Generation Fighter Program: Official". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  33. ↑ Newdick, Thomas; Rogoway, Tyler (26 December 2024). "China Stuns With Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet's Sudden Appearance (Updated)". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  34. ↑ "First flight of Chinese 6th-Generation fighter today". Scramble. 26 December 2024.
  35. ↑ "New Chinese Advanced Combat Aircraft Emerge In Flight". Aviation Week. 26 December 2024. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  36. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (2024-12-26). "Yes, China Just Flew Another Tailless Next-Generation Stealth Combat Aircraft". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  37. ↑ "China Revealed Two New Stealth Fighter Designs In One Momentous Day". Forbes.
  38. ↑ D'Urso, Stefano (27 December 2024). "Second New Chinese Stealth Jet Emerges in the Same Day". The Aviationist.
  39. ↑ Honrada, Gabriel (2 January 2025). "China's J-36 stealth fighter another blow to US air superiority". Asia Times. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  40. ↑ Roblin, Sébastien (7 January 2025). "Two New Chinese Sixth-Gen Fighter Jets Have Emerged in a Direct Challenge to U.S. Air Superiority". Popular Mechanics.

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