Further sighting of China’s 6th-gen stealth fighter suggests ‘smooth progress’: analyst

China’s sixth-generation stealth fighter, although not yet officially announced, has been seen conducting another test flight as the advanced jet progresses in development.

New witness videos and photos have circulated online since Monday, showing the triangular tailless aircraft flying over a city skyline. The imagery was claimed to have been taken in the southwestern city of Chengdu, where its developer, the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, is based.

Compared to its debut on December 26 when it was accompanied by a J-20S fifth-generation fighter, in the most recent videos the massive aircraft that resembles the shape of a ginkgo leaf was flying solo with its landing gear seemingly retracted.

It could mean that the landing gear and the aerodynamic capabilities of the plane were being tested. The short time between the first two known flights – less than three months – suggests the developer is confident in the aircraft’s flight stability, according to state media outlet the Global Times.

“The new aircraft is making smooth progress with test flights in short intervals,” Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping said.

In the images, some of the aircraft’s other external features – such as diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) air intake on its dorsal and split flaps close to the wingtips – are also visible.

  

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