Two new Chinese ‘sixth generation’ fighters make their debut on Chairman Mao’s birthday
Videos and photos have emerged of two new Chinese combat aircraft or combat air demonstrators apparently making their maiden flights on 26 December 2024. Our very preliminary assessment is that both appear to be ‘sixth generation fighters’ rather than being associated with the JH-2x regional bomber project.
Jon Lake
December 26, 2024
26 December is special date for China, as it is the birthday of Mao Zedong (Mao Tse Tung, or ‘Chairman Mao’), who is still revered as the founder of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and de facto leader of the Chinese Communist Party from 1935.
It is perhaps no coincidence that the day was chosen for the first flights of what appear to be two new Chinese combat aircraft or combat air demonstrators, one from the AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Research and Design Institute (historically known as the 611 Institute), and one from the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute (or 601 Institute).
Aerospace Global News will examine the two aircraft separately.
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