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A new Chinese fighter jet, potentially capable of long-range operations and advanced stealth, has captured global attention following its maiden test flight.

The aircraft, reportedly designed to target U.S. early warning aircraft and tankers, marks a significant leap in China’s air combat capabilities.

The new jet was recently spotted conducting a daytime test flight from the airfield of the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, a hub for Chinese fighter jet and drone development.

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The aircraft flew alongside a Chengdu J-20, China’s current-generation stealth fighter, which served as a chase plane during the test.

The aircraft’s design includes several innovative features, most notably a tailless diamond-shaped wing, which is believed to enhance radar evasion.

Images shared on social media reveal a large, three-engine warplane with a cockpit and no vertical tails, a configuration that reduces radar visibility.

The plane’s engines are fed by a single dorsal inlet and two ventral inlets, with the dorsal inlet featuring a stealth-enhancing diverterless supersonic inlet.

These features, along with multiple intakes optimized for stealth and high-speed performance, suggest the aircraft is designed for operations near the edge of space and in contested environments.

According to Aviation Weekly, the jet also has a large ventral fuselage, likely housing an internal weapons bay, and landing gear with two wheels each, a design similar to heavy fighter-bombers like the Sukhoi Su-34.

Analysts have speculated that missile and bomb-loading hatches under the fuselage, along with engine nozzles positioned above the fuselage to reduce heat and noise signatures, further enhance its stealth capabilities.

The jet is reportedly capable of long regional flights without refueling, allowing it to loiter in contested areas far from home—a capability that Chinese forces have lacked compared to the United States.

Defense news outlet The War Zone noted, “If procured in an operational form by the PLAAF, it would be able to fly over long regional distances and loiter for extended periods on station far from home without tanker support.”

Justin Bronk, a Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), commented on the aircraft’s potential, describing it as part of China’s bomber and strike fighter development.

While cautioning that it may not match the performance of the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, Bronk acknowledged the jet represents a major step forward in China’s tactical airpower.

The UK Defence Journal observed that the aircraft incorporates advanced low-observable technologies, including aerodynamic efficiencies for high-speed dashes and cruising flight.

Analysts have suggested that the jet’s size and weight may require three engines, an unorthodox choice that aligns with its aggressive performance goals, particularly for high-altitude operations.

The aircraft also appears to prioritize endurance, with an internal volume designed to accommodate a large fuel load, weapons, and sensors.

This design philosophy reflects China’s focus on achieving long-range capabilities that rival U.S. military assets.

Retired U.S. Air Force General Mark D. Kelly previously warned that China’s advancements in air combat technology should not be underestimated.

“They are not dummies. They know what they’re doing,” Kelly said, adding that the Chinese sixth-generation air combat program would likely include exponential improvements in stealth and performance.

While details about the jet’s operational readiness remain speculative, its debut has underscored China’s commitment to expanding its airpower and challenging U.S. dominance in the region.

As testing continues, military analysts and global defense experts will be closely monitoring this new aircraft’s development and potential impact on the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.


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