Shenyang next gen combat aircraft thread

[Steven D]

I'd like to write up some of MHO here.
There were actually plenty of discussion, starting from 2015, about pure air battle tactics involving collaboration between drones and manned aircrafts. However, if the SAC next gen program is a naval centric program, we are truly stepping into untested waters as there's literally 0, none, discussion on next-gen AIR SEA BATTLE with carrier-based aircraft limitations in mind as far as I'm aware. So we shouldn't jump into judgements with any design decisions. This is going to be an extremely complex system of systems and we know little about it, including what kind of carriers does China wants to put these jets on, will we have VLS launched mini CCAs etc. It is, however, extremely exciting to even imagine what's happening here, and no doubt China is defining this future warfare by confusing all of us to hell.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

So just let me get this straight regarding developments in the past few days...

To sum it up -
1. Chengdu AC:
- J-36/J-XDC manned fighter (first flight 26/12/2024)
- Loyal wingman UCAV (WIP, first flight unknown)
2. Shenyang AC:
- Loyal wingman UCAV (first flight 20/12/2024 or 22/12/2024)
- J-XDS manned fighter (first flight within next few days)
3. Xi'an AC:
- KJ-3000 4th-gen AEW&C aircraft (first flight 29/11/2024)
- H-20 manned bomber (WIP, first flight before Zhuhai 2026)

There is also possible sighting of an unknown flying-wing U(C)AV (possible RQ-180-counterpart? Loyal wingman to H-20?) flying somewhere recently (possibly Shenyang?).

Did I get them all?

 

[sequ]

J-XDS manned fighter (first flight within next few days)

My poor heart can't take it anymore

 

[InsaneHum]

J-XDS manned fighter (first flight within next few days)

So J-36 likely retains the crown of being the first 6th gen fighter prototype to take flight in the end XD

 

[PLAN Otaku]

2. Shenyang AC:
- Loyal wingman UCAV (first flight 20/12/2024 or 22/12/2024)
- J-XDS manned fighter (first flight within next few days)

I know the part for SAC is from the weibo post, but his reply is very vague and seem not very specifically confirmed the SAC aircraft is manned fighter or UCAV. But since he emphasized that this is the first 6th gen fighter test flight, it seems more meaningful to say it is indeed manned? Is there even generation classification for UCAV?

 

[sutton999]

There is also possible sighting of an unknown flying-wing U(C)AV (possible RQ-180-counterpart? Loyal wingman to H-20?) flying somewhere recently (possibly Shenyang?).

Did I get them all?

already has RQ-180 counterpart - CH-7

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[PLAN Otaku]

So J-36 likely retains the crown of being the first 6th gen fighter prototype to take flight in the end XD

No the weibo post implied that the SAC prototype was the first 6th gen test flight

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

already has RQ-180 counterpart - CH-7

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Nope. What I meant is the actual counterpart to the RQ-180 in terms of dimension, endurance and capabilities. I believe @Blitzo also mentioned as such before.

The CH-7 is one stage lower than the RQ-180 in the first two domains.

Also, there is no news of CH-7 taking flight (so far).

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

So J-36 likely retains the crown of being the first 6th gen fighter prototype to take flight in the end XD

I know the part for SAC is from the weibo post, but his reply is very vague and seem not very specifically confirmed the SAC aircraft is manned fighter or UCAV. But since he emphasized that this is the first 6th gen fighter test flight, it seems more meaningful to say it is indeed manned? Is there even generation classification for UCAV?

No the weibo post implied that the SAC prototype was the first 6th gen test flight

At this point, I tend to believe that different (groups of) people have different ways, methodologies or even preferences of defining what a 6th-generation aircraft actually is.

Some thinks that the Chengdu AC's J-36/J-XDC manned fighter is a 6th-gen; Some thinks that the Shenyang AC's loyal wingman UCAV is a 6th-gen; While some also thinks that the B-21 bomber is a 6th-gen.

It's a toss-up situation.

 

[Neurosmith]

Both the J-XDS and J-36 are manned fighter jets.

So I guess the confusion is whether or not the J-XDS is manned or not.

J-XDS manned fighter (first flight within next few days)

Is there indeed a rumor that the first flight will take place so soon?

It seems that there are 4 versions of this model from 601： air force loyal wingman, navy loyal wingman, air force manned version and navy manned version.

SAC prototype that flew is actually a UAV.

their manned platform is yet to fly.

View attachment 141877

Didn't one of the insiders say that SAC's airframe is the first 6th generation platform? This would rule out the possibility of it being unmanned.

Additionally, if SAC is indeed yet to unveil it's manned fighter platform, would it compete against the J-36 for an in-service contract or complement it?