Latest achievements in the field of the Chinese tailless stealth fighter J-50

J-50

Recently, the Chinese aviation industry has once again attracted the attention of military enthusiasts and experts around the world. On April 5, 2025, new images of China's sixth-generation J-50 stealth fighter, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), were published. This happened three months after this type of aircraft was first spotted in the sky on December 26, 2024. Despite the fact that the cockpit canopy is barely visible in the image, more and more evidence indicates that this is a manned fighter jet.

The design of the J-50 is aimed at achieving a number of combat advantages. The shape of the fuselage is optimized to minimize the radar signal. The fighter's design uses advanced stealth technology, including sharp corners, smooth surfaces, and the absence of protruding antennas. In addition, the wings and fuselage of the J-50 are combined into one "flying platform", which further reduces the likelihood of radar signals being reflected. The fighter's engines are also designed to reduce the infrared signal, which is achieved through internal installation or the use of heat shields to reduce thermal radiation.

The nose of the J-50 has an unusually smooth surface, which may indicate the presence of an advanced active electronic scanning array (AESA) or a radar capable of operating in several ranges and providing stealth. Such a radar system is capable of detecting and tracking targets at long range, even in electronic warfare conditions. In addition, the J-50 is likely to be equipped with optoelectronic sensors with a 360-degree all-round view, which is extremely important for modern air combat.

The tailless layout of the J-50 is one of its key features. This design helps to increase aerodynamic efficiency, reduce drag and, therefore, possibly increase flight range and supersonic cruising capability. However, this approach may worsen maneuverability somewhat, but the developers seem willing to sacrifice this for the sake of stealth and other combat characteristics. Along with the J-50, images of the J-36 tailless fighter jet developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group were also released. These two aircraft demonstrated China's accelerated development in the field of stealth and aviation technology.

The appearance of the J-50 marks significant progress by China in developing the sixth generation of fighter jets. It not only demonstrated China's achievements in stealth technology, advanced aviation systems, and artificial intelligence integration, but also showed that China has the ability to develop advanced platforms capable of competing with American sixth-generation fighter designs. With each new detail revealed, the potential of the J-50 becomes more and more obvious, and its role in the future Chinese military strategy raises more and more expectations.