Mystery aircraft 4th August 2025: CCA vs other

[Deino]

.... They're asking everyone to temper expectations and not get too hyped up about this particular aircraft.

We're supposed to stay calm???

That's like taking a 4-year-old into a toy store and telling them they can just look around, but they're absolutely certain they won't get anything.

 

[wssth0306]

Does the forum came up with a nickname for the new jet yet ? It need a name just to refer to it.
I do wonder why it supposingly flew in Xian , if this is a glimpse into PLA 6th competition , ,maybe it's a part of requiment is to demo a full sized plane. Thus this is just the Xian's horse in the race.

 

[siegecrossbow]

It’s entirely possible that they are thinking ahead and want to develop it for export somewhere down the road.

 

[Tomboy]

It’s entirely possible that they are thinking ahead and want to develop it for export somewhere down the road.

Who'd buy a large tactical jet?

 

[siegecrossbow]

Who'd buy a large tactical jet?

Countries with money to burn on the prestige of getting sixth gen before anyone else.

 

[dingyibvs]

I feel like the bigger question is what this aircraft is meant to test/demonstrate and whether this is going to be a one off or will lead to a production aircraft. Normally one-off X-planes would usually borrow extensively from production airframe to lower cost but given the supposed size(Said to be larger than F-60/FC-31 with some indications it would be even larger than the J-36) and shape of the aircraft, it'll be difficult to even borrow a landing gear for such an aircraft, much less engines and avionics due to size and aerodynamic layout. IMO, this points to significant investment on this project.

Seems unlikely to be an X-plane. No Chinese X-plane has ever been photographed in public (excluding satellites) as far as I know, so this would be a first. Even tech demonstrators imaged in public have all eventually become production planes.

 

[Ringsword]

Actually I have no idea … my first thought was, it looks almost to big and different to the other seen CCAs.

It looks like the J36 and the J50 mated and had a lovechild-not technical but the USAF holding on to PPT F-47/F55 diagrams might be apoplectic right now!

 

[GTI]

I feel like The Strategic Foo You Department has been elevated to an independent arm of the PLA…

 

[xmupzx]

Seems unlikely to be an X-plane. No Chinese X-plane has ever been photographed in public (excluding satellites) as far as I know, so this would be a first. Even tech demonstrators imaged in public have all eventually become production planes.

There is a first time for everything

 

[SinoAmericanCW]

I feel like The Strategic Foo You Department has been elevated to an independent arm of the PLA…

At the pace China's been unveiling new advanced platforms compared to the U.S., it'll soon be renamed the Strategic F**k You Department.