• Two prototypes of China’s future stealth fighter flew in broad daylight.
• Both appear to be advanced flying wing designs useful for attack missions.
• Observers in China raved about the potential role of a fighter jet that could take on U.S. planes.

Two prototypes for China’s future stealth fighter took to the skies in broad daylight in recent days, demonstrating China’s growing power in aerospace as it tries to keep up with the United States.

The designs seemed to cause a stir. One showed a triangular aircraft similar to the retired American F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, with some notable differences. The Chengdu Aerospace Corporation prototype lacked a tail and fin-like vertical stabilizers and was powered by three engines; A new video shows it in a low-altitude turn, accompanied by a J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter.

Photos and videos have also recently captured a stealth prototype attributed to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, fueling speculation that the aircraft could be competitors.

The sightings immediately sparked questions among aviation observers as to whether these designs were stealth attack aircraft (designed for ground attack areas guarded by air defense systems) or candidates for a breakthrough sixth-generation air superiority fighter that the U.S. is trying to define .

“It’s fascinating that the (People’s Liberation Army Air Force/Chinese Communist Party) have decided to fly this prototype in daylight now,” Justin Bronk, an air force expert at the British think tank RUSI, said on X. “I suspect that’s more likely .” the 5th generation regional bomber/fighter project, sometimes called J/H-XX.”

A Defense Department report released in mid-December said China is “developing new medium- and long-range stealth bombers to attack regional and global targets.”

Both aircraft prototypes appear to be flying wing designs that distribute an aircraft’s load more efficiently and reduce drag. These aircraft are inherently more unstable and require automated fly-by-wire systems that constantly change the aircraft’s flight controls. The US Air Force based its Northrop B-2 Spirit and Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider bombers on this design.

By eliminating a tail and vertical stabilizers, the flying wing reduces the number of angled surfaces that can generate radar echoes. These types of aircraft may be able to attack defended areas before being detected by radar.