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New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover
New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Yahoo

New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover

Recently emerged imagery largely confirms that China is now test-flying another tailless stealthy combat jet, although it isn't clear if this is a crewed design or one of its new advanced drones. A high-performance, highly autonomous uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) with collaborative 'loyal wingman' capabilities is a major possibility. Still, based on the design, this could very well be yet another 6th-generation crewed jet — one that is similar to, or even would compete more directly with Shenyang's J-XDS (also nicknamed the J-50 by some) fighter rather than Chengdu's massive J-36 super-heavy tactical jet. This latest development once again underscores the frantic pace of Beijing's military aerospace developments, which include activities across a wide range of drone programs as well as advanced crewed types. At least five images of the new design have been noted so far. In each case, it's not clear where or when the imagery was taken. The quality and angles are historically typical of the first 'leaks' showing new advanced Chinese military aircraft, a practice dating back many years. None of the images provide enough detail of the upper part of the forward fuselage to reveal whether or not a cockpit is present. There are clear attributes to this design that point to the possibility that it is a more substantial aircraft, crewed or otherwise. Attributes The aircraft seen in the recently emerged images has a notably pointed forward fuselage and nose section that blends into the mid-set wing midway down the fuselage. The highly swept wing has cropped tips, and the trailing edge features a prominent triangular extension, with a 'w'-like configuration. There are no vertical stabilizers or other separate tail surfaces. The broad fuselage would appear to offer a fairly significant capacity for internal fuel and stores, although details of a weapons bay are not apparent in the available underside view. In all views thus far, the aircraft is seen with its tricycle-type landing gear extended, and it may feature twin-wheel nose gear, which would be indicative of a heavier design, or perhaps one intended for carrier operations. There is an air-data probe on the nose, a feature consistent with early flight testing. Overall, the design appears to be heavily optimized for low observability, in line with the two crewed combat jets that China debuted at the end of last year, and which you can read about in detail here. In various respects, it shares some striking similarities with the so-called J-36. Based on the frontal and rear views of the aircraft, two engine intakes and two 'humps' over the rear fuselage loosely point to a twin-engine configuration — which would be quite odd for a somewhat attritable loyal wingman drone — although many other details, as well as its overall scale, cannot be verified at this stage. Evidence for a crewed fighter If the new design features a cockpit, this would raise the possibility that the design may be a competitor to the Shenyang J-XDS/J-50 fighter, perhaps a product of the rival Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, which is also responsible for the much larger J-36. Finally got my hands on this video! Crystal-clear footage of Chengdu's 6th-generation fighter jet soaring over Chengdu Airport. Absolutely amazing! #Chengdu6thGenFighter# — GaoFrank (@gaofrank75) April 23, 2025 It is clear that the J-36 and J-XDS are two entirely separate classes of aircraft, as we have described in great detail before, and that they are unlikely to be direct competitors in terms of basic design and mission goals. A Chengdu competitor to Shenyang's 6th-generation stealth fighter would make a lot of sense in that regard. It would also explain the similarities in the design between this new aircraft and the J-36. As we noted earlier, the general design looks similar in many ways, and especially the forward fuselage and nose section, as well as the general inlet configuration, to the J-36. The overall planform is also similar. A smaller twin-engine traditionally fighter-sized cousin to the J-36 wouldn't be a grand surprise. A selection could be made between the J-XDS/J-50 and this new design to yield a new jet for more traditional fighter-type roles. It's also possible that this is a carrier-optimized design. A medium 6th-generation fighter is another possibility, although this seems less likely. The scale is nearly impossible to judge with the available images. And the same one in cut-out form …(Images via @Captain小潇 on Weibo by OPPOFind 8) — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 23, 2025 Evidence for a drone Meanwhile, there is speculation among some long-term Chinese aerospace observers that the new aircraft is one of multiple Chinese counterparts to the USAF's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) 'loyal wingman' program. At the same time, it is TWZ's opinion that a more substantial and advanced unmanned combat air vehicle is perhaps a strong possibility, one that could still incorporate CCA teaming capabilities, but would also be better suited for independent operations. Andreas Rupprecht, a Chinese aviation expert and contributor to this website, told TWZ that he thinks the new imagery shows one of the country's CCA designs, although he notes that it's significantly different from the tailless design that was spotted flying together with a pair of Y-9 turboprop transports, in imagery that emerged last month. This other design, seen in the tweets embedded below, features a modified diamond-like delta planform combined with a much simpler trailing edge. For the first time, one of China's tailless CCA (Collaborative Combat Aircraft) UAV/UCAVs has been spotted. — International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) July 20, 2025 As it seems, we maybe have first footage – including a brief video – showing for the first time one of China's CCA UAV/UCAVs accompanied by a Y-8/ the video: via @lyman2003 from Weibo)@HarpiaP — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 19, 2025 Rupprecht views rumors that the new aircraft is a possible crewed fighter or strike aircraft, possibly even a carrier-based swing-wing design, as nothing more than that. He also notes that among the Chinese aerospace blogosphere, there are persistent rumors of multiple CCAs in development to serve as 'loyal wingmen' for the new 6th-generation combat jets. Within China, these drones are informally termed 'teacups,' in contrast to the crewed 'teapots.' Allegedly another image of that mysterious CCA UCAV … however it could also be again just a stupid joke!So let us be skeptical & cautious instead of immediately assuming that it is a 3rd new "next-generation" fighter, a bomber or even a secret stealth swing-wing naval-fighter — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 4, 2025 The emergence of the new imagery comes soon after satellite imagery showing several likely CCA designs that should be publicly unveiled at an upcoming parade to be held on Sept. 3, marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory over Japan in World War II. A Google Earth satellite image taken on June 11, 2025, shows the drones at a military base in Yangfang, a suburb northwest of the Chinese capital of Beijing. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) regularly uses the facility to stage assets and train for large-scale parades. Although it's unclear from the satellite image whether the aircraft shown are mockups or real drones, there appears to be five new CCA-type designs, as you can read more about in our previous coverage. In addition, the same image reveals hundreds of vehicles, including what appear to be transporter erector launchers for large ballistic missiles, as well as previously identified drone designs, such as the GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV). Of those new CCA-type drones in the satellite image, four of them appear to be tailless with modified diamond-like delta and cranked-kite wings, while one looks to have a more traditional wing and tail arrangement. The designs range in length from approximately 30 to 38 feet (nine to 12 meters), and in wingspan from 20 to 35 feet (six to 11 meters). The fact that the drones in the satellite image are partly concealed by tarpaulins, as well as the relatively low resolution, means it's not immediately clear if one of them matches the new imagery of the drone being test-flown. A newer image (seen below) offers greater detail, but still there doesn't appear to be a direct match. However, with so many apparent CCA designs being developed, it wouldn't be abnormal to not include all of them in the parade. A new image was revealed showing the supposed to be CCA (loyal wingman) designs for the upcoming military parade. — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 3, 2025 Regardless, it is now inevitable that CCA-type designs will be part of the Sept. 3 parade, which officials have already said will feature unspecified 'new-type combat capabilities.' It should also be noted that another next-generation fighter-like airframe or mockup with a modified diamond-like delta platform emerged at Shenyang's main plant earlier this year, as TWZ was first to report. While it's unclear if this is a crewed or uncrewed design, it certainly appears to be larger (roughly 50 feet/15 meters) than any of the possible CCA drones seen in the satellite image of Yangfang. At the same time, its configuration also doesn't correspond with either of the two apparent new tailless mystery aircraft that have been seen flying. Very clearly, China is busily developing a range of 'loyal wingman' type drones, as well as the crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities that will be required to operate them effectively. Among the first Chinese drones to be associated with these efforts was the aforementioned GJ-11 UCAV. This is widely understood to be a centerpiece of China's uncrewed combat aircraft plans. However, the GJ-11 is as much a UCAV as a CCA and will likely have other roles, including independent operations, beyond any teaming duties with crewed aircraft. Beijing has also revealed various other lower-tier uncrewed designs that have been designed specifically to operate in conjunction with crewed aircraft. Examples include the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's (CASC) FH-97 and FH-97A, which appear to be heavily influenced by the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie and Boeing Australia MQ-28 Ghost Bat, respectively. At the same time, there are many signs of Chinese programs to adapt crewed aircraft to operate closely with collaborative drones. The two-seat J-20S stealth fighter has been regularly depicted in official graphics as an airborne drone controller, a role that TWZ noted would be ideal for it when it first appeared. J-20 with loyal wingmen UCAVs — 彩云香江 (@louischeung_hk) September 21, 2021 The KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft is also widely considered to be envisaged as a key node within China's future crewed-uncrewed air combat ecosystem. Beijing has also explored using H-6 missile carrier aircraft as launch platforms for lower-end tactical drones, as you can read about here. H-6K drops multiple drones — 彩云香江 (@louischeung_hk) October 12, 2022 Right now, the developments in Chinese military aerospace are fascinating to watch, and the proliferation of new drone designs is likely a particular cause for concern among potential adversaries. These drones also make a highly intriguing parallel to the U.S. Air Force's CCAs. The first two of these, the General Atomics YFQ-42A and Anduril YFQ-44A, are in development, with first flights planned for next year. In the future, the U.S. Air Force and other branches of the U.S. military plan to field multiple CCA types acquired through iterative development cycles. The latest developments from China suggest that the PLA might well be planning something similar, and the Sept. 3 parade may well yield still more details in this regard. Ultimately, it seems China is also set on harnessing the potential of advanced autonomous aviation capabilities, aided by developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, to field drones that will be able to operate increasingly independently from crewed platforms. This could also include networked swarms, something that Beijing is actively working on for smaller-scale drones. With all this in mind, this aircraft could be a higher-performance counterpart to the GJ-11, capable of flying longer distances with greater payloads than smaller CCAs, as well as being more readily capable of independent operations. This would be a useful companion for longer-range aircraft, like the H-6, J-36, and future H-20 bomber. Until we get a better idea of the scale when it comes to this new aircraft, we just won't know for sure. What we do know is that the aircraft seen in the new images once again underlines the rapid pace of development in the Chinese military aerospace sector and its capacity to spring surprises on an increasingly regular basis. Contact the author: thomas@ Solve the daily Crossword

Kaveri Engine Gets New Lease Of Life As Government Approves Rs 723 Crore For Derivative Engine
Kaveri Engine Gets New Lease Of Life As Government Approves Rs 723 Crore For Derivative Engine

India.com

time26-07-2025

  • Business
  • India.com

Kaveri Engine Gets New Lease Of Life As Government Approves Rs 723 Crore For Derivative Engine

New Delhi: The Central government has approved Rs 723.59 crore for two projects under the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) programme, which aims to power India's future unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), informed Parliament on Friday (25 July). In a written response to BJP MP Tejasvi Surya in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth announced the sanction of two key KDE projects. These include the 'Flightworthy Kaveri Dry Engine Development' with a budget of 472.42 crore, and 'Technology Demonstration of Kaveri Derivative 'Dry' Engine' costing ₹251.17 crore. The Kaveri Derivative Engine is a non-afterburning version of the original Kaveri engine initially developed for the Tejas fighter but repurposed for unmanned aircraft after the original engine did not meet thrust requirements. The dry variant is expected to produce thrust in the range of 49 to 51 kiloNewtons. Minister Seth also highlighted that the Defence Ministry has been allocating significant funds for indigenous defence technology research and development. Over the past three years, projects worth more than Rs 29,550 crore have been sanctioned to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). To foster innovation, DRDO has set up 15 DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoE) across the country at institutions such as IISc Bangalore, various IITs, and Central and State Universities. These centres support focused research for developing new defence and security technologies. Additionally, DRDO labs have opened several high-quality test facilities for industry use, along with established standard operating procedures (SOPs) to facilitate this collaboration. DRDO has also launched the Technology Development Fund (TDF) to financially support Indian industries in designing and developing innovative defence products.

Bad news for Pakistan, China as India to get ‘flying warrior', name is CATS warrior, it will complete mission without…
Bad news for Pakistan, China as India to get ‘flying warrior', name is CATS warrior, it will complete mission without…

India.com

time22-07-2025

  • India.com

Bad news for Pakistan, China as India to get ‘flying warrior', name is CATS warrior, it will complete mission without…

Home News Bad news for Pakistan, China as India to get 'flying warrior', name is CATS warrior, it will complete mission without… Bad news for Pakistan, China as India to get 'flying warrior', name is CATS warrior, it will complete mission without… It can be launched from an airbase and go deep into the enemy's territory and complete the mission. New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has designed a special drone called Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior. According to sources, this unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV) is ready for its first low-speed taxi trial soon. CATS Warrior has been designed in such a way that it can attack the enemy in conjunction with fighter jets. This drone will be able to gather information about the enemy, keep surveillance and carry out strike missions on its own. When was this UCAV displayed? This drone was first shown at Aero India 2025 this year. It is expected that it will also take its first flight by the end of 2025. NewSpace Research and Technologies is also working with HAL in this project. Big countries of the world like America, China and Russia are also making similar drones. Now India is also moving rapidly towards making its Air Force more powerful with this technology. What are the features of CATS Warrior? The CATS Warrior UCAV is an unmanned fighter drone which can complete the mission remotely or on its own. It can support a piloted aircraft by dodging the enemy's radar or attacking in advance. It is fitted with Swarm technology in which many such drones can fly together in a swarm, and mislead the enemy's system. It can do both espionage (ISR), surveillance and precision bombing. It has a stealth design hence it's very difficult to detect it by enemy's radar. According to initial information, its operation range is up to 700 kilometers, which can be increased further. High precision It can be launched from an airbase, and it can go deep into the enemy's territory and complete the mission. Its range will depend on which missile or bomb it will be equipped with. CATS Warrior is capable of carrying 100 (44 kg) to 150 pounds (68 kg) of bombs or electronic warfare (EW) pods. This means that apart from jamming enemy's radar system, it can also bomb with precision. What weapons can it carry? This drone will have an internal weapon bay, in which weapons like Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) and Next Generation Close Combat Missile (NGCCM) will be fitted. It will attack the enemy with hidden weapons while avoiding radar in the air. It will be fitted with light weight smart bombs and stand-off missiles capable of hitting the target even from a distance of 100-200 kilometers. Staying away from the fighter jet, this drone can destroy the enemy's target without going close. India's 'flying companion' CATS Warrior UCAV will be operated by connecting it with modern fighter aircraft like India's Tejas LCA and Sukhoi Su-30 MKI. This technology will provide the ability to carry out precise and deep attacks on enemy targets without endangering the life of the pilot. It is being called India's 'flying companion'. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on

Bad news for Pakistan China, Turkey as India is developing not only stealth fighter jet but 5th generation...
Bad news for Pakistan China, Turkey as India is developing not only stealth fighter jet but 5th generation...

India.com

time31-05-2025

  • Business
  • India.com

Bad news for Pakistan China, Turkey as India is developing not only stealth fighter jet but 5th generation...

Bad news for Pakistan China, Turkey as India is developing not only stealth fighter jet but 5th generation.... The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently testing the Kaveri jet engine in Russia. Defence officials have told news agency ANI that the testing of this jet engine is in its final stages. Plan To Use The Engine In UCAV As per reports, only 25 hours of testing of the engine is left. The engine will be ready after the Russian authorities give it the green signal following all the tests. Officials told ANI that India is planning to use the Kaveri engine in its long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). HAL Is Preparing CATS Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is developing the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior. It is a 5th-generation unmanned wingman drone which is designed to work in conjunction with fighter jets. This drone is designed to perform a variety of tasks during combat missions. Will Keep Aircraft Pilots Away From Dangers The Indian Air Force's CATS system is designed to protect its aircraft and pilots by enabling the targeting and neutralisation of enemy air defences. The Mission Will Be Accomplished In Collaboration With AMCA The Combat Air Teaming System will carry out missions in coordination with the indigenously built 5th-generation stealth fighter plane AMCA. These CATS warriors will play a crucial role in eliminating the enemy's radar systems and missile launchers.

Why Kaveri jet engine's trials in Russia are a big boost for India's defence
Why Kaveri jet engine's trials in Russia are a big boost for India's defence

First Post

time29-05-2025

  • First Post

Why Kaveri jet engine's trials in Russia are a big boost for India's defence

The trials of the indigenous Kaveri jet engine are reportedly underway in Russia. Developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it is a low bypass, twin spool turbofan engine. Originally meant for the fighter aircraft Tejas, it has been repurposed to power the long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) read more India is carrying out trials of the indigenous Kaveri jet engine in Russia. Reports on Tuesday (May 27) said that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was conducting the trials of the engine that could be used to power the long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Initially planned for the fighter aircraft Tejas, the Kaveri engine will now power Made in India UCAVs. There has also been a renewed interest in the public about the homegrown engines in the wake of Operation Sindoor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look. What's Kaveri engine? The Kaveri engine is a low-bypass, twin-spool turbofan engine. Developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the engine has 80 kilonewtons (kN) thrust. The Kaveri project kick-started in the 1980s to power the domestic fighter aircraft Tejas. The engine has a flat-rated design to minimise thrust drop due to high-speed and high-temperature conditions. 'Twin lane full authority digital engine control with an adequate manual backup is a salient design feature of the Kaveri engine,' as per the DRDO. From Tejas to Ghatak The Kaveri engine could not be used for India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas due to various challenges, including the engine's inability to reach the required thrust-to-weight ratio. There were also problems in high-temperature metallurgy and afterburner performance and reliability. International sanctions on India after the 1998 nuclear tests also hit the project. After Kaveri failed to power Tejas Mk1, India had to resort to the American-made GE F404 engine for the fighter jet. India also lacked testing facilities for such engines and had to rely on Russia, which led to scheduling delays and restricted flexibility, as per News18. The project appeared to be abandoned by 2014. However, a collaboration with the French firm Safran in 2016 breathed life into the engines again. The Kaveri engine has 80 kilonewtons (kN) thrust. Image Courtesy: DRDO The Kaveri engine has been repurposed for Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles, like the Ghatak stealth drone. As per a EurAsian Times report, the latest Kaveri engines feature advanced materials, aerodynamics, and cooling technologies for enhanced performance. It is likely to generate 48 kN of dry thrust, while DRDO plans to incorporate an afterburner to raise thrust to 73–75 kN if needed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Kaveri core engine – Kabini – has a high-pressure compressor, combustor and high pressure turbine for 'demonstrating hot end parts technology and study the aero-mechanical behaviour of high-pressure spool' of the engine, according to DRDO. It is classified as a fifth-generation engine. Why Kaveri engine's trials matter India 's premier defence research agency is conducting trials of the Kaveri engine in Russia, ANI reported, citing defence officials. The trials will showcase the performance of the engine in real flight conditions, including its reliability, endurance, and integration with aircraft systems, as per Mathrubhumi. About 25 hours of testing remained, with dependency on the slots provided by Russian authorities. On whether the Kaveri engine will power the LCA, the officials told the news agency that it could be used to power an LCA aircraft to see its capabilities. Recently, X users have been calling on the government to allocate more funds and resources for the Kaveri engine, with 'Fund Kaveri Engine' becoming the top trend on X Monday (May 26). This comes against the backdrop of India's tensions with Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last December, GTRE announced that the Kaveri engine had been cleared for in-flight testing. The development happened after rigorous testing of the engine, including high-altitude simulations in Russia. The Kaveri engine is a big boost to India's push for self-reliance in defence technology. It will reduce the country's reliance on foreign engine suppliers and support its aerospace ambitions. With inputs from agencies

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