China unveils J‑50: Advanced fighter shifts military balance
Initially, it was thought that the new Chinese fighter jet was essentially a drone and was given the designation J-36. However, according to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express, the construction from China is actually an aircraft — and one with considerable capabilities. Named the Shenyang J-50, it took to the skies for the first time on 26th December.
In the last days of December, all eyes are on China, and for good reason, as the end of the year is particularly intense for their military. On 26th December, which coincides with the birthday of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China, a mysterious aircraft produced by a Chinese company was showcased.
Soon after, photos of another mysterious construction attributed to a different manufacturer surfaced in the media. The name of the second machine was unknown - as was its purpose. It was widely assumed to be a drone with the provisional name J-36. Defense Express now reports that the true name of the mysterious machine is J-50. Moreover, it is not a drone but a fighter aircraft.
Characteristics of the J-50
According to Defense Express, the J-50 is in the prototype stage, but its capabilities already suggest that it could be a valuable asset in China's arsenal. Compared to the Chengdu J-20, the J-50 has several weapon bays, including one large bay capable of housing four PL-17 missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometres.
The J-50 can also carry the YJ-12 anti-ship missile, reaching speeds of Mach 3, approximately 3,600 kilometres per hour, and a range of 400 kilometres. Although details about its electronic systems are not known, they are expected to incorporate the latest Chinese technologies.
Combat potential
The J-50 meets some of the requirements for sixth-generation fighters, including advanced stealth technology. However, it is still unknown whether it will have capabilities for supersonic flight, optional manning, or combat artificial intelligence.
Defense Express also notes that considering the main requirements for a sixth-generation fighter, the J-50 already meets some of them. However, several details related to its specifications, including those mentioned above, remain unknown.
