Shenyang next gen combat aircraft thread

[Neurosmith]

New underside view of the J-XDS. Posted by @Rational314159 on Twitter.

View attachment 142565
View attachment 142566

At this point, I think we can conclude a few things from this new photograph regarding the prototype:

• This has a pitot tube whereas earlier photos show a lack thereof.
• This possibly has a different paint scheme, being much lighter/grayer in appearance than the blackish airframe photographed earlier.
• There is a significant groove between the engines/inlets, making the placement of a large IWB questionable.
• There is no evidence of all-moving tailfins.

I think it's fair to say that there is a non-zero possibility that the airframe in the newest photo may not be the same one that was photographed earlier. The pitot tube is the strongest evidence of this, as is the different color scheme (admittedly it could be due to lighting effect).

Some reasonable explanations for the above discrepancies and points of confusion are as follows, ranked in decreasing order of probability:

1. This is an earlier or developmental airframe and not the same one that was photographed earlier. There are rumors that the SHENGAD/J-50 actually made its maiden flight some time in November rather than the widely-accepted December date, giving the program some time to build a second and more mature prototype.
2. This does not show the SHENGAD/J-50 but rather a whole new aircraft altogether (such as a CCA drone). This would be in line with rumors that SAC was about to unveil yet another item after the J-50 appeared.
3. This photograph is actually of the dorsal side of the SHENGAD/J-50. We never really did get good photos of its intakes, so it is possible that the intakes are actually on the top side of the aircraft.

We do hope that more photos show up.

 

[no_name]

1. This photograph is actually of the dorsal side of the SHENGAD/J-50. We never really did get good photos of its intakes, so it is possible that the intakes are actually on the top side of the aircraft.

We do hope that more photos show up.

It doesn't look like the dorsal side you can see what seems like the actuators and shadows from the landing gears.

 

[Neurosmith]

More incoming!

 

[Kejora]

It does seem weird, like it couldn't fit any IWB at all. From both these pictures either the nose is very wide/flat, or this aircraft is in fact quite small? Given the size of the intakes in comparison to the aircraft it doesn't seem like it can carry anything internally.

Additionally if it were 2 smaller bottom bays, why add a groove and decrease the internal volume? It seems counterintuitive.

At this point, I think we can conclude a few things from this new photograph regarding the prototype:

• This has a pitot tube whereas earlier photos show a lack thereof.
• This possibly has a different paint scheme, being much lighter/grayer in appearance than the blackish airframe photographed earlier.
• There is a significant groove between the engines/inlets, making the placement of a large IWB questionable.
• There is no evidence of all-moving tailfins.

I think it's fair to say that there is a non-zero possibility that the airframe in the newest photo may not be the same one that was photographed earlier. The pitot tube is the strongest evidence of this, as is the different color scheme (admittedly it could be due to lighting effect).

Some reasonable explanations for the above discrepancies and points of confusion are as follows, ranked in decreasing order of probability:

1. This is an earlier or developmental airframe and not the same one that was photographed earlier. There are rumors that the SHENGAD/J-50 actually made its maiden flight some time in November rather than the widely-accepted December date, giving the program some time to build a second and more mature prototype.
2. This does not show the SHENGAD/J-50 but rather a whole new aircraft altogether (such as a CCA drone). This would be in line with rumors that SAC was about to unveil yet another item after the J-50 appeared.
3. This photograph is actually of the dorsal side of the SHENGAD/J-50. We never really did get good photos of its intakes, so it is possible that the intakes are actually on the top side of the aircraft.

We do hope that more photos show up.

F-35 style weapon bays?

 

[marcello]

New underside view of the J-XDS. Posted by @Rational314159 on Twitter.

View attachment 142565
View attachment 142566

why it’s separated?

 

[Alfa_Particle]

New underside view of the J-XDS. Posted by @Rational314159 on Twitter.

View attachment 142565
View attachment 142566

I'm hearing:
- different prototype of a completely different model (CCA derivative?)
- AI enhanced thus lots of details were deformed/misleading

 

[Kejora]

View attachment 142571
why it’s separated?

The landing gear is extended, so that's probably the shadow of its landing gear.

 

[serse]

Commentators from youtube claim both aircrath were power by variable cycle engine.

 

[Alfa_Particle]

These are believed to be unaugmented images:

The groove probably looks worse than it actually is due to lighting.

P.S. is it just me or you can see a vague slit between the main part of the wings and where the supposed variable tails are?

 

[Maikeru]

These are believed to be unaugmented images:
View attachment 142574View attachment 142575
The groove probably looks worse than it actually is due to lighting.

P.S. is it just me or you can see a vague slit between the main part of the wings and where the supposed variable tails are?
View attachment 142577

I can sorta see the slit between wing and tail. Otherwise I think a lot of conclusions were jumped to on the basis of the augmented image which do not arise from the original. For a start I see no pitot probe, and the shadow - lines look to be related to landing gear.