A new type of flying-wing, next-generation stealth combat aircraft developed by China performed its maiden flight alongside the Chinese J-20 fighter jet.
The aircraft without any tail surfaces is in line with fifth-generation fighters regarding fuselage design and has what appears to be three engines with stealthy nozzles (Extra intake on the upper side is present in addition to two ramp intakes).
The wide body, which allows for larger fuel and weapons capacity compared to the J-20, and enormous wings suggest that the JH-XX, a new generation fighter bomber, might replace the ageing JH-7.
The new fighter bomber has been anticipated to have high speed, stealth characteristics, and the capability to carry various munitions inside an internal bay.
It might also be a demonstrator for the tailless sixth-generation fighter AVIC presented in various airshows, similar to what the U.S. envisions for a sixth-generation fighter. However, this does not mean the fighter will be operational anytime soon, as technologies for such fighter jets are still developing.
It should be noted that tailless design does not always correspond to a next-generation fighter as it is a design choice for less frontal and lateral aspect RCS at the cost of more complicated control systems. For example, fighters in development under FCAS and GCAP programmes are more in line with fifth-generation fighters in terms of overall form, focusing on MUM-T, propulsion, avionics, and weapons.
Before China's demonstrator, there were reports of an NGAD demonstrator of the U.S. being flown, but no images were shared.
The U.K. might be the next to fly a demonstrator of a next-generation fighter, with the prototype using EJ200 turbofans from Eurofighter, which is under production by BAE Systems.
