Images of new Chinese military aircraft appear online

Blurry photos of two new Chinese military aircraft with characteristics inherent in stealth technologies (reducing the visibility of an object to radars and other detection means - ed.) have appeared on the Internet, UNN reports with reference to Reuters. 

The images were released on Friday, and defense experts say they are clearly advanced developments, although the details are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions.

Both aircraft have a tailless design, meaning that they do not have vertical stabilizers, which usually help maintain control. The stability of such aircraft is ensured by computers that interpret the pilot's actions.

The larger aircraft is roughly diamond-shaped with three air intakes for the engines: two are located along the fuselage and the third is on top. This configuration is highly unusual. The smaller airplane has a more traditional look, but also has no tail.

Both aircraft are characterized by the absence of 90-degree angles, which is typical of stealth design aimed at reducing radar visibility.

Evan Graham, an expert at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, noted that these developments demonstrate the Chinese aviation industry's readiness for experimentation and innovation.

He noted that despite possible advantages or disadvantages, it looks like a very original design. According to him, this should encourage the United States and its allies to get rid of the arrogance that they always set the tone in military aviation.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on this issue.

The U.S. Department of Defense said it was "aware of these reports" but refrained from commenting further beyond what was set forth in its annual report on the Chinese military.

Sixth generation aircraft

For several years now, the United States has been working on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which involves the development of sixth-generation fighters. However, it remains unclear how this program will develop under the new US presidential administration.

Europe and Asia are working on a separate project, the Global Combat Air Program, having recently announced the creation of a joint British-Japanese company.

Reuters has confirmed the video of the larger Chinese aircraft flying over the city of Chengdu. The verification was made by comparing the location of buildings, signs, logos and trees with satellite images and archival photos. However, it was not possible to establish the date of the shooting.

The presented Chinese aircraft are not the first modern tailless developments. The American Northrop Grumman B-2 and B-21 stealth bombers have a "flying wing," and several unmanned aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 and the Chinese CH-7, also have no tail.

None of the new Chinese aircraft has yet been officially designated. Despite their uniqueness compared to other models in the Chinese fleet, it is not yet possible to determine how maneuverable, fast, or stealthy they are. There is also no information on their avionics, which is necessary to assess their "generational continuity," the five defense experts said.

Australian analyst Peter Layton added that it is difficult to apply standard categories such as "fifth generation" to Chinese aircraft, because their designs often include unique elements that are not repeated.

The Chinese J-20 and J-35 also have stealth characteristics, but their capabilities remain unknown, and only the J-20 is in service.

Possible message for the US

China's test flights of the new planes over cities where they could be easily spotted is "an interesting move," said Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the US Stimson Center.

She suggested that it might be easier for China to catch up with the United States in aviation than in the development of drones or missiles.

She added that given that the Pentagon is actively discussing the future of the NGAD program, it is hard not to wonder if this is an attempt by Beijing to influence this debate.