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| first_flight = Unknown, first publicly observed on 26 December 2024
| status = ]
| number_built = 1 confirmed
}}
The '''Shenyang J-50'''<ref name="at_250102"/><ref name="pop_250107"/> or '''J-XD'''<ref name="janes"/> is a temporary designation given by military analysts and defense media to a ] ] lambda wing aircraft under development by the ] (SAC). The aircraft was observed in flight testing in ], ], ] in December 2024, which was tentatively named Shenyang J-XD or Shenyang J-50 by analysts, given the limited available information.<ref name="at_250102">{{cite web |last1=Honrada |first1=Gabriel |date=2 January 2025 |title=China's J-36 stealth fighter another blow to US air superiority |url=https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/chinas-j-36-stealth-fighter-another-blow-to-us-air-superiority/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Asia Times}}</ref><ref name="pop_250107">{{cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a63360888/china-sixth-gen-fighters/ |title=Two New Chinese Sixth-Gen Fighter Jets Have Emerged in a Direct Challenge to U.S. Air Superiority |website=Popular Mechanics |date=7 January 2025 |first=Sébastien |last=Roblin }}</ref><ref name="janes">{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/update-two-chinese-stealth-aircraft-programmes-emerge-unexpectedly |title=Update: Two Chinese stealth aircraft programmes emerge unexpectedly |website=Janes |date=30 December 2024 |first=Akhil |last=Kadidal }}</ref>
The '''Shenyang J-50'''<ref name="at_250102"/><ref name="pop_250107"/> or '''J-XD'''<ref name="janes"/> is a temporary designation given by military analysts and defense media to a ] ] lambda wing aircraft under development by the ] (SAC). The aircraft was observed in flight testing in ], ], ] in December 2024, which was tentatively named Shenyang J-XD or Shenyang J-50 by analysts, given the limited available information.<ref name="at_250102">{{cite web |last1=Honrada |first1=Gabriel |date=2 January 2025 |title=China's J-36 stealth fighter another blow to US air superiority |url=https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/chinas-j-36-stealth-fighter-another-blow-to-us-air-superiority/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Asia Times}}</ref><ref name="pop_250107">{{cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a63360888/china-sixth-gen-fighters/ |title=Two New Chinese Sixth-Gen Fighter Jets Have Emerged in a Direct Challenge to U.S. Air Superiority |website=Popular Mechanics |date=7 January 2025 |first=Sébastien |last=Roblin }}</ref><ref name="janes">{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/update-two-chinese-stealth-aircraft-programmes-emerge-unexpectedly |title=Update: Two Chinese stealth aircraft programmes emerge unexpectedly |website=Janes |date=30 December 2024 |first=Akhil |last=Kadidal }}</ref>
Unknown, first publicly observed on 26 December 2024
The Shenyang J-50 or J-XD is a temporary designation given by military analysts and defense media to a twinjettailless lambda wing aircraft under development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). The aircraft was observed in flight testing in Liaoning, Shenyang, China in December 2024, which was tentatively named Shenyang J-XD or Shenyang J-50 by analysts, given the limited available information.
History
In 2018, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) reportedly developed prototypes for the next-generation aircraft. Intelligence and rumors indicated the Chinese designs would use tailless flying wing or flying arrowhead configuration that can provide greater broadband stealth characteristics compared to the previous generation of fighters, new propulsion technologies, improved sensors allowing the aircraft to operate alongside unmanned teaming aircraft or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), etc.
In September 2022, United States Air Force (USAF) General Mark D. Kelly, head of the Air Combat Command (ACC) suggested China was on track with its six-generation fighter program, and he believed the Chinese design uses a 'system of systems' approach like the United States, which allows for "exponential" reductions in stealth signature and improvements in processing power and sensing.
On 26 December 2024, a new Shenyang prototype aircraft, believed to be part of the Chinese sixth-generation fighter program, was spotted near Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's facilities. The reveal coincided with the spotting of the Chengdu J-36 from its sister company, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Unconfirmed reports suggested the Shenyang fighter made its maiden flight on 20 December 2024. The Shenyang aircraft prototype seemed to be smaller than the Chengdu one. It was trailed by a Shenyang J-16 strike fighter as the chase plane.
Design
The Shenyang prototype fighter features a cranked arrow configuration with sharply swept lambda wings, two ventral intakes with diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI), and twin-engine bays. The medium size of the aircraft was speculated to be more suitable for operations on aircraft carriers. The cockpit canopy was not visible from any available footage of the aircraft, leading to diverging theories on it being a crewed, uncrewed, or optionally crewed aircraft.