Thread by @PrezGHz

This new Chinese jet has really thrown people for a loop. A lot are pushing this as a “6th Gen Fighter” b/c it shares a lot of vague commonalities with the NGAD artistic depictions. I don’t believe this to be the case, but there’s still a lot to be inferred from the pics so far—

Let’s talk shape since it’s what has blown people away the most. The tailless, compound delta wing design is extremely reminiscent of NGAD depictions. Do they fulfill the same role? Idk, I’m not on either design team. But this is still a clear indication of intent—

The compound delta suggests a very strong intent to produce a very high speed, long range platform. Tons of lift provided for cruising, and the high sweep angles promote very high top speeds. I estimate a ~67 and ~55 deg swept wing. Much higher than your typical fighter—

For comparison, most fighters have between a 40 and 45 degree wing to allow for high speed and (very importantly) maneuverability. Even the mighty MiG-25 of Mach 3 fame had a ~42 deg wing. Another benefit arises from this extreme sweep angle. Improved stealth—

Famously, the F-117 has a ~67 deg swept wing! This suggests an intent to defeat low frequency search radars since they care less about angles than your typical X-band, but this also more thoroughly defeats medium freq like S & L bands. Very indicative of a penetration platform—

We can further see the indication that this will be a high speed platform through the use of CARET inlets (a la F-22). Notably less stealthy than the DSI inlets of the F-35/J-20, but removes the inlet spiked cowl decreasing parasitic drag during supersonic flight—

Talking control surfaces is important here since this is the first piloted, tailless design we’ve seen from China. First note is simply the insane amount of control surfaces that make up the trailing edge of this plane. I count at least 10 independently moveable surfaces here—

Starting with the outermost surfaces, we have split rudders similar to, say, the B-2/21. This suggests a need for variable control based on flight profile. This furthers the high speed hypothesis as one large split rudder may be too much control, but required at low speed—

Looking inward, we have 6 total elevons. Why so many? I’m really not sure. Again, perhaps an indication of need for a large continuous surface for low speed handling, but refined control for extremely high speed flight regimes. There’s another more important detail here tho—

Note the 6 actuator protrusions. Something seen on almost all stealth designs today. This suggests China is somewhat behind in actuator design as the F-35 notably omits these to improve stealth qualities on the wing and tail. So perhaps not as 6th gen as people think ;) —

While we’re back here, let’s talk engines. The most fascinating thing is the triple engine design inferred from the sort of awkward top mounted DSI intake, and the noticeable middle bump between the more obvious twin engine exhausts. My initial thought was perhaps—

A high efficiency medium or high bypass turbofan for long range. Now, I’m more inclined to believe it to be a ramjet. Top mounted intakes are not known for their high-AoA performance, so it leads to the thought of an engine that operates best in straight line flight conditions.—

All the other points made prior further bolster the “High Speed Hypothesis” and a possible ramjet would make sense for a large top mounted intake. Besides this, we can assume the 2 regular engines are of the WS-10 family which is proliferated on pretty much all PLA fighters.—

This is further inferred given the size of this aircraft. Notably much larger than the J-20, but still quite small for a bomber. This lends itself to being a tactical or even medium strategic strike platform similar, again, to the F-117.—

Furthermore, the large delta wing means ample space for fuel, and with it being larger than the J-20 at an advertized combat radius of 1200NM (2000km), this new platform may be capable of at least 2000NM. A necessity for operating in the vastness of the Pacific Orient.—

It’s hard to tell w/out front shots of this jet, but given its large, wide body, lack of an obvious bubble canopy and comparing it to the new twin seat J-20S, the new platform could be a side-by-side configuration a la F-111 or Su-34. Furthering itself as a strike platform.—

This isn’t to say it can’t perform the air superiority role as we’ll see in a moment, but it just doesn’t make sense to push that capability out there when the J-20 and J-35 are very new designs while the PLAAF bomber and attacker fleets are aging into oblivion.—

Can it do A2A tho? The weapon bay configuration lends itself to the idea that it can use very large, long range missiles such as the PL-17 only really seen on the J-16. This also means the ability to carry large cruise missiles/PGM internally and still hold A2A for self-escort.—

There’s no visible EOTS-esque system anywhere on the underside, so how does this thing do ground targeting? My theory is that it’s again a more strategic strike platform like the B-2/21. There aren’t any noticeable serrations on the nose to infer a typical forward looking array—

However, there are noticeable discolored side panels to suggest more side looking arrays in a similar configuration to the B-2. This would provide extremely capable SAR mapping and air-to-surface target designation capabilities before target approach.

I’d assume some sort of forward looking array to be installed, but it’s hard to tell at this moment. There’s also those very obvious glass windows forward of the discolored panels. Perhaps a side looking infrared system? Maybe just extra pilot visibility :P

A final bit is the main landing gear for this beast. Doubled up gear means this thing is HEAVY. Furthering the hypothesis of a strike platform, and if correct, we can expect MTOWs of up to and over 100k lbs (45k kg)! This really puts it into a whole other category.—

This is all completely speculative hearsay tho, so just stay open-minded. It’ll be very interesting to see what comes of it, and what its true capabilities are. Anyways, thank you very much for reading, and if I missed anything that you may have noticed please let me know :D