China’s Shenyang Stealth Fighter Seen from the Closest Angle Yet in a New Video
Published on: April 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
David Cenciotti
The Shenyang stealth fighter, unofficially referred to as the J-50, as seen in one of the videos emerged on Apr. 8, 2025 (Image via X, edited by The Aviationist)
Another day, another Chinese next generation combat aircraft spotted during a test flight.
Just one day after the mysterious
J-36 jet was filmed
overflying the traffic on a Chinese urban highway during final approach for landing at the Chengdu Airframe Plant, in Sichuan province, new footage was circulated online showing the futuristic design being developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and rumored to be the J-XX fighter.
As already explained in previous reports, the Shenyang prototype is possibly designated J-50 or J-XDS, although it’s worth noting that such designations are speculative, as China has not officially confirmed the aircraft’s full name or its designation system.
Among the clips supposedly filmed during the latest test flight of the aircraft, which is often referred to as a sixth-generation fighter in Chinese media, one shows the fighter flying directly over the cameraman at a very low altitude. The jet was escorted by a
Chinese Flanker derivative acting as chase, as per standard operating procedure during flight testing.
The footage offers the clearest look yet at the planform of the new stealth fighter, that features a tailless design with a lambda wing, which is renowned for its aerodynamic efficiency and reduced radar cross-section. It also boasts a twin-engine setup, Diverterless Supersonic Inlets (DSI), and possibly 2D thrust vectoring nozzles, further enhancing its maneuverability and stealth characteristics.
The lambda wing, increases the aspect ratio and boosts aerodynamic efficiency compared to a trapezoidal wing, such as the one seen on the Shenyang J-35, while still meeting the stealth requirements. That said, the broken trailing edge does reduce structural efficiency and adds weight.
The footage shows the aircraft with its tricycle landing gear configuration, with twin wheels on the nose gear. As highlighted in several reported, the J-XDS may also be equipped with both ventral and side weapon bays, although the available images aren’t sharp enough to make out the details of the panels.
Some
reports suggested that the wingtips could be movable. In one image, the tip of the right wing appears to pivot around a central point, supporting this idea. The swiveling outer wingtip sections act as major control surfaces, providing significant roll authority and, when deployed together, ability to control pitch. This design, combined with an advanced digital flight control system, may help address stability issues associated with a tailless configuration.
However, this setup likely reduces low observability due to the jointed areas.
The J-XX was
first spotted on Dec. 26, 2024, flying from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) facilities, escorted by a Flanker derivative. Its flight over densely populated areas appears intentional, coinciding with a significant date in Chinese history, adding to the symbolism of its public reveal.
The growing frequency of videos showcasing these so-called sixth-generation aircraft suggests that Beijing may be intentionally making its military advancements more visible. This increase in visibility comes at a time of rising tensions with the U.S., particularly amidst ongoing diplomatic challenges and the trade war initiated during the Trump administration. The tariffs imposed on Chinese goods have further strained relations, prompting China to assert its military strength and technological advancements more prominently on the global stage.
Another day, another Chinese next generation combat aircraft spotted during a test flight. Just one day after the mysterious J-36 jet was filmed
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