With the advent of the era of fifth-generation aircraft, the air forces of all countries are seeking new breakthroughs, and sixth-generation aircraft have become the goal of the future. The United States has already announced its own sixth-generation aircraft program, and China's sixth-generation aircraft program has also received widespread attention. However, China has kept a low profile about the situation of the sixth-generation aircraft, and has not revealed any official information, but has been given a code name by the West: J-XX. Recently, AVIC released a promotional video, which showed a suspected CG picture of China's sixth-generation aircraft, which caused speculation and reports from the outside world. Is this fighter China's sixth-generation aircraft?What are its features and advantages?
According to Boyko Nikolov, editor-in-chief of the Bulgarian Defense magazine, while the United States is promoting the research and development of sixth-generation aircraft, China is also actively conducting its own sixth-generation aircraft research, and may even have a technology verification machine. In the promotional video of AVIC, the conceptual design of China's sixth-generation aircraft was shown, which was made public for the first time, showing China's self-confidence and progress. The US "Military Watch" magazine believes that if this is a test flight of the verification aircraft, then it means that China and the United States have been neck and neck in the field of sixth-generation aircraft, and are developing their own sixth-generation aircraft models, ahead of other countries. Foreign media generally believe that China's J-XX is an advanced sixth-generation aircraft, which has many advantages and innovations compared with the American sixth-generation aircraft.
From AVIC's promotional video, we can see that China's sixth-generation aircraft design adopts a tailless layout, eliminating the vertical tail and canard wings, and only retaining a pair of movable flaperons. Such a design can improve stealth performance, reduce the radar reflective surface, and also favor maneuverability and stability. In addition, China's sixth-generation aircraft may also use a ternary vector thrust engine, which can achieve multi-directional thrust adjustment, increase maneuverability and supersonic cruise capability. The technical difficulty of such an engine is high, but China has already demonstrated its technological progress by presenting the corresponding model at the Zhuhai Air Show. China's sixth-generation aircraft may also use the Garette air intake, which is similar to the F-22 and can improve stealth, reduce aerodynamic heating, and adapt to high-speed flight. Although the design of this air inlet is more complicated, it also illustrates China's aerodynamic design capabilities.
China's sixth-generation aircraft project is based on long-term efforts and accumulation, China's aviation industry has been established since the 50s of the last century, and after several generations of struggle, today's achievements have been achieved. China's J-20 fighter has become an excellent fifth-generation aircraft, demonstrating excellent stealth performance and combat capabilities, participating in combat patrols and interception missions in the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea, and has not been detected by enemy radars or threatened by US fighters such as the F-35. The production rate of the J-20 is also increasing, and the total number is expected to reach more than 200 by the end of 2022, providing a strong combat force for the Chinese Air Force. The success of the J-20 has provided a solid foundation for the development of the sixth-generation aircraft, and China has not lagged behind the United States in the technology of the sixth-generation aircraft, and has even taken the lead in some aspects. China's low profile towards the sixth-generation aircraft is a cautious and steady attitude, not a lack of confidence and results. China never fights uncertain battles, and only when the project progresses to a certain stage will it disclose some information, which is also a sign of self-confidence.
At present, both China and the United States are carrying out the research and development of sixth-generation aircraft, but neither has announced the news of the actual aircraft, but only speculation based on theory and assumptions. The research and development of the sixth-generation aircraft is a complex and difficult process, which requires overcoming many technical difficulties and challenges, as well as investing a lot of resources and manpower. It is expected that by about 2030, the sixth-generation aircraft of China and the United States may enter service, and by then, the two countries will open the gap with the world in the field of air forces and be in a leading position. So, can China's sixth-generation aircraft surpass the American sixth-generation aircraft?This is an unknown question, but one to look forward to. We believe that China's sixth-generation aircraft will definitely have its own characteristics and advantages, and will also bring surprises and shocks to the world.