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Amber Wang

New images of what appear to be one of China’s sixth-generation fighters point to rapid progress in the stealth programme and hint at multiple variants in parallel development, according to analysts.
Clear side-view photos, which emerged on Chinese social media on September 25, show a tailless fighter on a runway.
The aircraft’s appearance is consistent with the design of a sixth-generation fighter developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and sometimes referred to as the J-50.
Chinese authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the images.
One notable difference from earlier sightings is the absence of a nose-mounted air data boom, which had been visible in multiple test flights since the jet was first spotted flying in December.
The removal of the boom – a sensor used to collect precise information such as airspeed during test flights – could indicate an advancement in the programme, Chinese observers said.


Military analyst Song Zhongping said that if genuine, the new photos were likely of a second prototype of the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter, in which the external air data boom had been removed and its functions taken over by on-board sensors.
This was the case in the test phase of the J-20, a fifth-generation fighter already in service.
“I believe what you’re seeing now is likely the second, or improved, version of the prototype you saw before. If the previous one was 001, this could well be 002,” Song said.
“Any aircraft manufacturer’s prototypes – whether 001 or later – are constantly being improved. It’s just like what happened with the J-20. In the early stages, it had an air data boom, but later the boom was removed and its functions integrated into the aircraft,” he added.
Fu Qianshao, a Chinese aviation analyst, agreed that if the photo was real, it was probably a new prototype and reflected the rapid pace of testing of China’s sixth-generation fighters.
The new images also reveal a blended canopy design and a single-seat cockpit. Previously, the aircraft’s long canopy raised suggestions that it was a tandem-seat design.




Fu said that given the single seat in the recent image, it could not be ruled out that the manufacturer was developing both single- and tandem-seat types in parallel.
“Previous photos suggested it might be two seats, but it’s hard to say if both configurations are being developed in parallel,” he added.
“If there is a two-seat version, it might be intended for drone control or coordination with other platforms. A single-seat version, by contrast, would focus on penetration or air superiority missions.”
The twin-seat design usually allows the second operator to coordinate attacks and reconnaissance missions from other aircraft or unmanned combat aerial vehicles linked via “loyal wingman” systems and sensors.


The United States and China are racing to produce sixth-generation fighters to compete for air superiority in future warfare. In March, US President Donald Trump announced that Boeing would make jets to replace F-22 fighters under the air force’s Next Generation Air Dominance programme.
Last week, US Air Force chief of staff General David Allvin said the US had started manufacturing its F-47 sixth-generation fighter jet and planned for it to be flying in 2028.
China has not made any such announcements about its own aircraft, opting instead for indirect signals such as photos to indicate that the programme is under way.
Photos of another tailless fighter, believed to be the sixth-generation J-36 developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, have also appeared in recent months.


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China's military weapons

Is this a new look for China’s sixth-gen J-50 stealth fighter?

The photos this time show an aircraft without  a nose-mounted air data boom. Photo: Handout

US official declares F-47 sixth-gen fighter is in production and set for 2028 take-off

US President Donald Trump says Trump said the F-47’s experimental X-planes had been tested in secret over the past five years, with the first flight reportedly occurring in 2019. Photo: Air Force via AP

Is China’s J-35 fighter jet stealthier than the US’ F-35?

CCTV has described the J-35A as the stealthiest aircraft in the world. Photo: Xinhua

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The Chinese Academy of Sciences’ new twin-engined flying-wing drone is on display at the Changchun air show. Photo: Weibo/ 单手搓核弹

Beyond the parade, what China’s new stealth drones mean for future air combat

A rear view of the “Type B” drone on display during Beijing’s Victory Day parade on Wednesday. The showcase has sparked renewed speculation about China’s aerial combat advances. Photo: CCTV

A GJ-11 stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle is seen in Wednesday’s military parade. Photo: AP

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The carrier-based J-15T, J-35 (pictured) and KJ-600 aircraft have completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted take-off and landing tests on the Fujian aircraft carrier. Photo: Xinhua

The carrier-based J-15T, J-35 and KJ-600 aircraft have completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted take-off and landing tests on the Fujian aircraft carrier. Photo: Xinhua

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Photos from the side of a jet surface on social media – with one big difference


Photos from the side of a jet surface on social media – with one big difference.
