Breaking News: US Delivers First F-16V Fighter Jet to Taiwan to Boost Air Defense Against China Threats

[Beijingwalker]

The inside sucks too. It's a downgrade from UAE's F-16E.

American F-47 Jet Using Canards from Older Generation Fighters: Chinese Expert​

Chinese analysts question Boeing's design choices for the U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter​

• Defensemirror.com bureau
• 11:28 AM, March 24, 2025

The U.S. Air Force’s newly announced F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet is drawing scrutiny from Chinese military analysts, who acknowledge its sixth-generation features but question the use of canards, an aerodynamic element more commonly found in older fighter designs.

Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military affairs expert, was quoted as saying by the Global Times that the F-47 aligns with modern stealth trends by eliminating vertical tails and incorporating a flat nose and lifting-body fuselage. He also highlighted the jet’s manned-unmanned teaming capability, a key characteristic of next-generation fighters. However, Zhang pointed out that the F-47’s use of canards—small forward wings in front of the main wings—could impact its stealth performance. He suggested that Boeing may lack the technological capability to implement more advanced control systems, leading to a reliance on older design elements.

The F-47 program, intended to replace the F-22 Raptor, was awarded to Boeing under the NGAD initiative. The aircraft is expected to operate alongside autonomous drone wingmen, known as collaborative combat aircraft. Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, voiced skepticism about Boeing’s ability to lead the program, citing its struggles with recent military and commercial projects such as the KC-46 tanker and 737 MAX.

Meanwhile, China’s own sixth-generation fighter programs appear to be progressing, with unverified images circulating online in December 2024 purportedly showing two stealth aircraft in test flights. These aircraft reportedly lack both vertical tails and canards, differing from the F-47’s design.

The F-47 incorporates a high-dihedral wing structure, reminiscent of Boeing’s YF-118G Bird of Prey technology demonstrator, which tested stealth and tailless designs in the 1990s. The jet’s broad, shovel-like nose suggests the presence of a large radar array, while a bubble canopy design raises questions about whether it will be a single-seat or dual-seat aircraft. While the image released so far shows canard-like structures, some analysts speculate they could be part of a misleading design meant to obscure the jet’s true capabilities.

As the U.S. moves forward with the F-47, other nations, including the U.K., Italy, Japan, France, Germany, Spain, and Russia, are also developing sixth-generation fighter programs.

American F-47 Jet Using Canards from Older Generation Fighters: Chinese Expert

Chinese analysts question Boeing's design choices for the U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter

defensemirror.com

 

[Yommie]

American F-47 Jet Using Canards from Older Generation Fighters: Chinese Expert​

Chinese analysts question Boeing's design choices for the U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter​

• Defensemirror.com bureau
• 11:28 AM, March 24, 2025

The U.S. Air Force’s newly announced F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet is drawing scrutiny from Chinese military analysts, who acknowledge its sixth-generation features but question the use of canards, an aerodynamic element more commonly found in older fighter designs.

Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military affairs expert, was quoted as saying by the Global Times that the F-47 aligns with modern stealth trends by eliminating vertical tails and incorporating a flat nose and lifting-body fuselage. He also highlighted the jet’s manned-unmanned teaming capability, a key characteristic of next-generation fighters. However, Zhang pointed out that the F-47’s use of canards—small forward wings in front of the main wings—could impact its stealth performance. He suggested that Boeing may lack the technological capability to implement more advanced control systems, leading to a reliance on older design elements.

The F-47 program, intended to replace the F-22 Raptor, was awarded to Boeing under the NGAD initiative. The aircraft is expected to operate alongside autonomous drone wingmen, known as collaborative combat aircraft. Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, voiced skepticism about Boeing’s ability to lead the program, citing its struggles with recent military and commercial projects such as the KC-46 tanker and 737 MAX.

Meanwhile, China’s own sixth-generation fighter programs appear to be progressing, with unverified images circulating online in December 2024 purportedly showing two stealth aircraft in test flights. These aircraft reportedly lack both vertical tails and canards, differing from the F-47’s design.

The F-47 incorporates a high-dihedral wing structure, reminiscent of Boeing’s YF-118G Bird of Prey technology demonstrator, which tested stealth and tailless designs in the 1990s. The jet’s broad, shovel-like nose suggests the presence of a large radar array, while a bubble canopy design raises questions about whether it will be a single-seat or dual-seat aircraft. While the image released so far shows canard-like structures, some analysts speculate they could be part of a misleading design meant to obscure the jet’s true capabilities.

As the U.S. moves forward with the F-47, other nations, including the U.K., Italy, Japan, France, Germany, Spain, and Russia, are also developing sixth-generation fighter programs.

American F-47 Jet Using Canards from Older Generation Fighters: Chinese Expert

Chinese analysts question Boeing's design choices for the U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter

defensemirror.com

@NGAD IS THE BEST

What's up with F-47 using canards?

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

The inside sucks too. It's a downgrade from UAE's F-16E.

Lol it's way way better than F-16E, F-16V using F35 technologies, F-16E was one of the earliest F-16s that was introduced earliest AESAs and other top notch avionics/EW systems

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

@NGAD IS THE BEST

What's up with F-47 using canards?

When you're copying Soviet era Mig 21 in 90s USA tested X-36 which had Canards and DARPA (defense aerospace research project agency) said it was extremely stealthy but USAF's F22 and F35 designs were finalized that was why they were not produced X-36 based 5th gen jets

 

[Yommie]

When you're copying Soviet era Mig 21 in 90s USA tested X-36 which had Canards and DARPA (defense aerospace research project agency) said it was extremely stealthy but USAF's F22 and F35 designs were finalized that was why they were not produced X-36 based 5th gen jets

Canards is old tech. New Chinese planes like J-36 don't use canards anymore.

 

[Aziqbal]

why did Taiwan buy the F16 when they could pay similar for F35?

would US allows export of F35?

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Whyis irrelevant? It shows the international community doesnt recognize Taiwan as a country, are you so dense to see it?

Then why Taiwan intercepting PLAAF in few weeks ago

And last most of countries not recognized Taiwan as your province either, go and read your link of Wikipedia that how many countries opposed the resolution lol

 

[j_hungary]

why did Taiwan buy the F16 when they could pay similar for F35?

would US allows export of F35?

Taiwan is working on their own 5th gen with LM help

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Canards is old tech. New Chinese planes like J-36 don't use canards anymore.

Canards might increase RCS little bit but with stealth coatings and RAM (radar absorbing material) its effect overall RCS of the jet negligible , and Canards are much cheaper option to achieve better maneuverabiliy/agility than TVC

and who have better experience to design and develop stealth jets you or USA?

 

[Beijingwalker]

Then why Taiwan intercepting PLAAF in few weeks ago

And last most of countries not recognized Taiwan as your province either, go and read your link of Wikipedia that how many countries opposed the resolution lol

Why a rebel state can't intercept government fighters? what does it have to do with your claim that " most countries recognize Taiwan being a country"? , do you have any proof to support your" most countries‘’ claim?

 

[Beijingwalker]

Canards might increase RCS little bit but with stealth coatings and RAM (radar absorbing material) its effect overall RCS of the jet negligible , and Canards are much cheaper option to achieve better maneuverabiliy/agility than TVC

and who have better experience to design and develop stealth jets you or USA?

Next time why American and Indian posters say J-20 is not a real sense 5th generation jet because of its Canards, tell them that J-20 is actually a 6th gen jet.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Why a rebel state can't intercept government fighters? what does it have to do with your claim that " most countries recognize Taiwan being a country"? , do you have any proof to support your" most countries‘’ claim?

Proofs in your link that countries opposed the resolution, and in your opinion (China's opinion) it's rebal state, other countries don't think this crap

 

[Beijingwalker]

Proofs in your link that countries opposed the resolution,

That's what you mean " most countries"? what did you get this " most countries" idea? In your school?

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Next time why American and Indian posters say J-20 is not a real sense 5th generation jet because of its Canards, tell them that J-20 is actually a 6th gen jet.

Lol in terms of capabilities they said it not at par with F22/F35, if J20 is a 6th gen jet then why you're developing J36 and J50 and don't tell J36 and J50 are 7th gen jets lol

 

[Beijingwalker]

Lol in terms of capabilities they said it not at par with F22/F35, if J20 is a 6th gen jet then why you're developing J36 and J50 and don't tell J36 and J50 are 7th gen jets lol

I think you said Canards is good for 6th gen jet like NGAD.