SOURCE: AFI
After months of speculation and fleeting glimpses, aviation enthusiasts and defense analysts alike are buzzing with excitement over newly emerged images offering the clearest look yet at the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s (SAC) latest creation: the J-50, tentatively dubbed “Shengad” by observers. Spotted in flight testing over Shenyang, Liaoning, China, in December 2024, this sixth-generation stealth fighter is shaping up to be a technological marvel, blending cutting-edge design with features that signal China’s bold ambitions in military aviation. With its tailless configuration, advanced electro-optical systems, and innovative aerodynamics, the J-50 is poised to redefine air combat capabilities for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
The J-50’s design breaks from convention, most notably with its lack of vertical tails—a hallmark of sixth-generation fighters prioritizing stealth and agility over traditional stability mechanisms. Instead, it relies on advanced flight control systems to maintain maneuverability. Paired with this tailless, lambda-wing planform are movable wingtips, a feature visible in recent imagery where the right wingtip appears deflected. These articulating surfaces likely serve as control mechanisms, enhancing the jet’s agility while preserving its low-observable profile. Adding to its futuristic silhouette are two-dimensional (2D) thrust-vectoring control (TVC) nozzles, a detail that suggests superior maneuverability at both subsonic and supersonic speeds, rivaling the likes of the American F-22 Raptor.
A closer look reveals additional standout features. The J-50 sports Diverterless Supersonic Inlets (DSI), positioned on the sides of the fuselage, which streamline airflow to its twin engines while minimizing radar cross-section—a critical stealth advantage. Beneath the sharply angled nose, a prominent bulge hints at a 360-degree Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), akin to those on the F-35 and J-20, offering unparalleled situational awareness and precision targeting. This system likely provides full-spherical coverage, enabling the J-50 to detect and engage threats from any angle without relying solely on radar, further enhancing its stealth credentials.
The airframe’s underbelly tells its own story. A dual front wheel nose gear suggests a robust design, possibly hinting at carrier-based operations or operations from rough airstrips, while additional side bays—beyond the expected ventral weapons compartment—point to a versatile payload capacity. These bays could house a mix of long-range air-to-air missiles, such as the PL-15 or its successors, or precision-guided munitions, making the J-50 a multi-role contender capable of air superiority and strike missions alike. The combination of internal weapons storage and stealth-focused design ensures it can penetrate contested airspace undetected.
While the J-50’s exact role remains speculative—whether a pure sixth-generation fighter or an evolution of SAC’s prior work like the J-35—its unveiling on December 26, 2024, coinciding with Mao Zedong’s birthday, was no accident. The flight over populated areas in broad daylight reflects China’s confidence in showcasing its technological prowess. The twin-engine setup, potentially powered by advanced variants of the WS-15 engine, promises high thrust and efficiency, supporting sustained supersonic cruise—a benchmark for next-gen fighters.
The J-50’s emergence alongside Chengdu’s J-36, another sixth-generation prototype revealed the same day, underscores China’s dual-track approach to dominating future air warfare. While the J-36 boasts a larger, trijet tailless design, the J-50’s more compact, agile frame suggests a complementary role, possibly tailored for rapid deployment or naval integration. Together, they signal a leap forward from China’s fifth-generation J-20 and J-35, incorporating lessons in stealth, sensor fusion, and networked operations.
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