You dont have javascript enabled! Please enable it! Alleged Chinese 6th-Gen Fighter Jet with Three Engines Sparks Online Mockery - Indian Defence Research Wing
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SOURCE: AFI

On May 17, 2025, a blurry image of an alleged Chinese 6th-generation fighter jet surfaced online, showing the aircraft taking off with what appears to be three engines, all operating at full afterburner. The sighting has triggered a wave of ridicule across social media, with netizens and defense enthusiasts pointing to the unusual design as evidence of underperforming engine technology.

The grainy photograph captures the jet in mid-air, its three engines glowing brightly with the telltale flames of afterburners—a mode typically used for maximum thrust during takeoff or combat maneuvers. Critics were quick to mock the design, arguing that the need for three engines, rather than the standard two found in most modern fighters, suggests that China’s engine technology lags behind global standards. One X user quipped, “FFS let nobody tell Emperor Demento of Orange that the Chinese have a super duper fighter with THREE engines. THREE ENGINES!!!!! Because their engines are shit, so they have to stuff another one in there to ensure it will get off the ground. I’m sure it has no impact on its range.”

The use of three engines is a rare configuration in modern fighter jets, harking back to older designs like the Soviet-era Tu-128, which required additional engines due to the limitations of early jet technology. Most contemporary fighters, such as the American F-22 Raptor or China’s own J-20, rely on two high-performance engines to achieve the necessary thrust-to-weight ratio for stealth, speed, and maneuverability. The apparent reliance on a third engine in this alleged 6th-gen prototype has led to speculation that China’s WS-15 engines—intended for advanced fighters like the J-20—may still be underpowered, forcing designers to compensate with an additional powerplant.

Experts note that adding a third engine could significantly impact the aircraft’s range and stealth profile. More engines mean higher fuel consumption, reducing operational range, and the additional exhaust and heat signature could make the jet more detectable to infrared sensors, undermining the stealth capabilities expected of a 6th-generation fighter. “If this is indeed a 6th-gen prototype, the design choice is puzzling,” said a defense analyst who requested anonymity. “It suggests either a major compromise in engine performance or a completely unconventional approach to next-gen fighter design.”

The timing of the sighting is notable, as it comes just days after India issued a NOTAM for a missile test in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, highlighting the intensifying military competition in the Indo-Pacific region. While China’s military advancements have been rapid, its jet engine technology has long been a weak point, with the country historically relying on Russian engines like the AL-31F for its fighter fleet. Despite years of development, China’s domestic engines, such as the WS-10 and WS-15, have struggled to match the performance of Western counterparts like the Pratt & Whitney F119 used in the F-22.

Online reactions have been scathing, with memes and sarcastic comments flooding platforms like X. One user posted, “Three engines? What’s next, a fighter jet with training wheels?” Another remarked, “This thing must guzzle fuel like a 747—good luck flying it more than 100 miles.” The mockery underscores broader skepticism about China’s ability to leapfrog into 6th-generation fighter technology, which is expected to include features like advanced stealth, directed-energy weapons, and AI-driven systems.

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