This could be a major leak in the characteristics of China by far the clearest images to date of the J-XDS of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (bag), also considered as the J-50. This plane is a strong sixth generation furtive hunter design which does not offer any tail, a thrust vector and a very elegant profile. It also has unique characteristics, in particular its control surfaces in the range of swivel wings. You can read our analysis past on this plane here and here.
Although these images may very well be a manufacture, they seem to correspond very In close collaboration with other less detailed views that we have seen from this plane. As it is now, we must consider them as unconfirmed, but there is no indication that they are not authentic. The only divergence that we could find between these new images and the past is the absence of an air data boom on the nose of the jet. But after a more in -depth examination of other lower quality images of this plane from very recently, the boom seems to have been deleted. It could also be a second cell which is now in the flight test which is not equipped with one, which is not uncommon for the early development phase of the air combat aircraft. It should also be noted that we still do not know if they are technological demonstrators or conceptions of production representatives. Given the speed at which China moves in terms of the development of air combat systems, it would not be surprising that the latter be true.
Until recently, we have mainly obtained lower views and silhouette of this plane. Meanwhile, his super heavy counterpart, commonly called J-36, which broke the same days as the J-XDS in December 2024, was seen in much higher details. One particular blow of this plane was similar to it, taken directly to the aerodrome where it is produced and based for flight tests.
These fresh images, if they are authentic, provide a new detailed look at the sides of this exotic plane. The details which are very visible include its vectorization exhausts of 2D F-22 thrust, which include fine serrated edges around the exhaust case, a common detail on furtive hunting aircraft.
Its very long diamond -shaped nose which has a deeply mixed canopy is also very apparent in the images. The intake of the plane is also observed in more detail here, which are trapezoidal and have a supersonic entry arrangement (ISD) without divert.
Based on these photos, assuming that they are not manufactured, the plane is used in a conclusive manner by a single pilot – a detail that has remained clear so far. The speaker of the electro-optical target system (EOTS) is also visible under the nose, as well as the bay type characteristics of the plane which remain something of a mystery because of their small size. Small bulges in the profile of the spine of the plane are seen behind the cockpit. We do not know what would be for, but they look like small open auxiliary entrance doors. If they were fixed bumps, they would likely house openings for a distributed opening system (DAS) or another sensor / communication opening.
And, of course, the swivel wings of the plane trademark, which would help keep the planes without intrinsically very unstable floor pointed in the right direction, especially during the slow flight and hard maneuvers, are seen diverted downwards.
Overall, the images are quite remarkable and give us a better idea of what this plane really looks like a side view in good light. We will have to see if the photos end up proving the real McCoy, but for the moment, they are a welcome revelation.
Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com
