New images appeared on social media in China, sparking speculation about the plane. Some note that it is a career-based fighter, while others say it is a “loyal wingman” drone. However, some point out that it could be Beijing’s sixth generation fighter jet after the J-36. This is what we know so far
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Is it a jet person, or a drone? That’s the question experts are asking after images of unidentified stealth aircraft that appeared on social media in China.
Earlier this week, at least two images of the aircraft began to circulate, showing a sophisticated, tailless design with a lambda wing layout. As soon as the photos began to circulate online, aviation experts began questioning whether they were a sixth generation crew, just like the J-36, or whether they were one of the new advanced drones.
We try to get an answer from you.
What is that in the Chinese sky?
Earlier this week, undated images appeared on Chinese social media websites, encouraging chatter between netizens and aviation experts. Images taken from various angles from the ground are not clear enough to determine whether the aircraft has a cockpit bay or an internal weapons bay.
What is clear from the photos is that the new aircraft (at least from the silhouette) appears to show that it fuses a sharp pointed nose with the fully blended delta wings. It also seemed to have no twin engine intake and no vertical stabilizers. This shows that it is a stealth aircraft of some sort. It also appeared that the new aircraft had a severe tricycle landing gear setup (one on the nose and two on the fuselage).
New: China has developed yet another tailless military aircraft.
There are no details yet. pic.twitter.com/tubvox02ij
– Clash Report (@clashreport) August 4, 2025
Is it an airplane or a drone?
As soon as the images went viral, many military observers tried to check the design, sparking debate over whether it was a new piloted warplane or a “faithful wingman” drone.
Some experts pointed out that the image is very similar to previously released images of the J-36, a Chinese attempt on sixth-generation fighter planes.
According to the aviationists, the image sees a two-segment trail edge and has a straight central section with sharp corners on the outside before extending to the wingtip. This planar format matches the geometry found in J-36 designs.
However, it should be noted that others are similar to the Chinese design of the “faithful wingman” drone. Chinese aviation expert Andreas Rupprecht pointed out in a report on the War Zone that the new image shows one of the designs of the version of the faithful Wingman program.
For those who are unaware, the “Faithful Wingman” is designed to work in conjunction with piloted planes, but can use artificial intelligence to make their own tactical decisions. At the cost of some of the manned fighter planes, these aircraft are considered easy ways to expand military power with less investment. Several countries, including the US and China, have developed loyal wingman drones with a variety of successes.
What many believe is that the image points to a drone is that the satellite image shows some possible designs that should be revealed at the upcoming parade on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II.
Is it yet another sixth generation aircraft?
Some analyzed the images, noting that these are evidence that China is building another stealth aircraft separate from the J-36. They show that the torso in the image is slim and reportedly the speed of this plane is much faster than the J-36.
This is not a Shenyan J-50 Stealth Fighter Jet or a Chengdu J-36 Stealth Strike Fighter. #China’s third new sixth generation stealth fighter jet was discovered today during its first test flight. This previously unknown aircraft adds an incredible new chapter…pic.twitter.com/exw4mockia
– Babak Tagvae – August 4, 2025
Even Rupprecht pointed out that images circulating this week are significantly different from images of the J-36 that appeared last month.
Which countries have sixth generation aircraft?
At present, no country has six generations of aircraft in deployment. However, China and the US are taking part in the fight over sixth generation jet fighter jets. Each of them competed for the first harvest of sixth generation crafts.
Previously, Trump announced that the US had been tasked with building a sixth-generation fighter jet for Boeing. This is called the F-47. He further called it “the deadliest aircraft ever built,” adding that a test version of the plane had been flying in secret for years.
Meanwhile, China is also reportedly running test flights for its own sixth generation aircraft, the J-36. Developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, the J-36 features a tailless design and an unusual three-engine setup.
China is also developing another sixth generation aircraft. This was by Shekyang Aircraft Corporation, and was probably called the J-50. Reports suggest that both aircraft are expected to travel at speeds above Mach 2, and design adjustments will allow them to reach top speeds close to Mach 3, especially at high altitudes where air is thin.
According to diplomats, two Chinese sixth-generation fighters could join the Chinese Air Force by 2031, based on the time China took to develop fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft from prototype to production.
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