China's Mysterious Tailless Stealth Fighter Has Swiveling Wingtips

Yahoo

27-01-2025

A new photo of the still-mysterious Chinese tailless combat aircraft, likely from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which first surfaced last month, provides a better view of the rear aspect of the jet. The image would appear to confirm that the aircraft's outer wingtip sections act as moving control surfaces, as we had previously suggested was a high possibility. You can read our full extremely in-depth analysis on both of China's new stealthy tailless tactical jets here.
The photo in question was first published on the Chinese microblogging website Weibo. The aircraft is seen on approach to land, passing over a busy highway in daylight. Since it first appeared, some observers have suggested the jet may be designated J-50 (in the Chinese Jianjiji or fighter series), while others have referred to it as the J-XDS. At this stage, we simply don't know for sure.
While it's worth noting that the authenticity of the photo cannot be confirmed, there's nothing to suggest that it's been manipulated and it's otherwise in line with the imagery of the aircraft that we have seen before.
Via ACuriousPLAFan/SDF:'A rear view photo of J-XDS, posted by Cute Orca on Weibo with the caption "If this is not a PS-ed photo, this shows that the J-XDS has full-moving wingtips and no angled vertical stabilizers."' pic.twitter.com/W8UEmA2Twc
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 27, 2025
Seen here from the rear aspect, there is no sign of the 'pop-out' maneuvering tail surfaces that some had suggested might be present and which had also appeared in 'fan art' of the same aircraft. The suggestion was that such surfaces might sit flush with the inner wing area, before being activated for low-speed flight, increasing control authority and maneuverability. As we explained in our analysis feature, this didn't seem to be the case and this photo helps disprove this claim further — especially since the aircraft is seen in a low-speed phase of flight when such control surfaces would be deployed.
A fan art render shows an imagined configuration with 'pop-out' maneuvering tails, something that we can now more or less rule out:
Just wow! SAC J-50 rendering with foldable tails https://t.co/5obFT6IGDJ pic.twitter.com/iCHMZZ32Lz
— Húrin (@Hurin92) January 1, 2025
As we pointed out in the past, having these auxiliary tail surfaces would add more weight and complexity to the design, and also decrease fuel storage, which would likely not be worth any advantages they would bring in terms of stability and agility.
The apparent confirmation that the aircraft has swiveling outer wingtip sections, which serve as major control surfaces, is significant. In this photo, the tip of the right wing can be clearly seen in a front-up, rear-down position. Having extremely widely spaced surfaces that span from the leading edge to the trailing edge like this should provide a lot of roll authority and, when deployed together, should also be used to control pitch. In this way, the outer wing sections — combined with an advanced digital flight control system — would help mitigate the stability issues that come with a tailless design.
The disadvantage of this arrangement is a likely reduction in low observability, although the designers will have presumably decided that the compromise is worthwhile, especially if it is a requirement of the tailless configuration. This could be reduced in cruise to some degree by limiting the articulation of these surfaces, or even locking them out entirely unless a severe input is commanded. Still, just having a jointed area in this location is less than desirable in a similar manner to how canards are not conducive to extreme radar signature reduction goals.
Aside from this, the new photo probably also provides us with our best look at what could be a cockpit canopy, which was not very discernible in previous images. While it's again hard to determine any details, a prominent bulge does at least seem to be present where a cockpit should be. There has been some speculation that this aircraft could be uncrewed. This doesn't seem to be the case by anything we are seeing, but it's always possible as the bulge could also accommodate a satellite communications package. Once again, this is very unlikely at this time.
The low resolution of the photo means it's hard to determine much about the configuration of the fighter's engine exhausts, although the suggestion, once again, is that the twin powerplants are provided with 2D thrust-vectoring nozzles very similar to those found on the U.S. F-22 Raptor. This would also help with stability and maneuverability. The thickness of the fuselage — another aspect we discussed in our deep-dive analysis piece — is also showcased in this new image.
As well as contributing to low observability, engine nozzles of this kind would enhance the aircraft's maneuverability and stability, key concerns considering that it's a relatively heavy, tailless design.
Overall, there remain many unknowns about this, the second Chinese tailless combat aircraft to break cover last December 26. However, more photos are sure to emerge and these should gradually provide us with a much better idea about its design, as well as provide a hint toward its potential capabilities and anticipated role.
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