China unveils new mystery fighter jet: The formidable J‑50
Initially, it was believed that the new Chinese fighter jet was essentially a drone designated as the J-36. However, according to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express, the Chinese construction is an aircraft—and one with considerable capabilities. Named the Shenyang J-50, it took to the skies for the first time on December 26th.
In the last days of December, all eyes are on China, and for good reason, as the end of the year is intense for their military. On December 26th, which is 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 186 miles.
The J-50 can also carry the YJ-12 anti-ship missile, which reaches speeds of Mach 3 (approximately 2,240 mph) and has a range of 249 miles. Although details about its electronic systems are not known, they are expected to feature 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.
