Footage circulating on social media appears to show the maiden flight of China's next-generation tactical fighter-bomber, which is expected to replace the Xi'an JH-7, according to Defense Blog.
Footage first appeared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on Thursday of a new stealth bomber with a "diamond-shaped wing design" flying at low altitude in an unspecified region of China.
"The new design signals a shift in China's emphasis toward a more stealth, precision-strike capability," a military analyst told the Defense Blog, adding, "Its low-observability features align with the need for platforms capable of operating in contested environments."
Here's more from Defense Blog:
China's decision to advance a next-generation fighter-bomber highlights its strategic focus on modernizing tactical aviation. The aircraft is expected to replace the aging fleet of JH-7 bombers, which have been in service since the 1990s. Analysts also point out that the new platform could serve as China's answer to Russia's Su-34 Fullback, a proven tactical strike aircraft currently deployed in Ukrainian war.
Zhao DaShuai, a member of the People's Armed Police Propaganda Bureau, wroteon X, "This is the world's first 6th generation fighter. We have moved ahead of the United States in air dominance."
lol, ok call it a 6th generation. A number is irrelevant to capability.
ReplyDelete