China's New Stealth Fighter? (Not J-20)

**Phoenix10** · 09 Jun 11,, 02:40

Courtesy of the DEW Line. The image appears to show a second Chinese stealth fighter prototype, definitely not the J-20. There has been talk around the net about a second type in the works....has anyone else seen anything more about this? Maybe over on some of the Chinese Forums (maybe one of the more reliable ones)?

PICTURE: Sneak-peek of new Chinese stealth fighter (NOT J-20!) - The DEW Line

Looks like China may continue to surprise.

**Stitch** · 09 Jun 11,, 05:11

My first impression says "F-35 clone"; same intake treatment (complete with BL bulge), same chining on fuselage mid-line, similar canopy, similar access door "sawtooth" treatment (though some of these are common to all stealth planforms).

**Officer of Engineers** · 09 Jun 11,, 05:29

My very amateur eye says fake. Nearly half the pic is black. Not exactly expected of a spy who got so close.

**ace16807** · 09 Jun 11,, 14:35

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

My very amateur eye says fake. Nearly half the pic is black. Not exactly expected of a spy who got so close.

It doesn't seem photoshopped to me (although they're pretty good at hiding that now). What it could be is a picture of a model plane taken up very close with something obscuring half the lens. But then again, who knows. On the other hand it could be a prototype that didn't make it past testing, or as they're speculating on the site, a new twin-seated stealth bomber.

**Chogy** · 09 Jun 11,, 14:54

It looks like the canopy is closed, but I don't see a pilot in there. It is not typical (but not impossible) to close the canopy without someone in there. Even under tow, they often place a ground crew in there to ride the brakes and monitor.

I'd say this is a picture of a model, but it's certainly possible for China to pursue alternate stealth platforms, some public, some black. In fact, I'd be surprised if they weren't doing so.

If I were to guess, the J-20 was made public early in its life as a nationalistic boost, a political statement. "We have the capability to do this."

**Phoenix10** · 09 Jun 11,, 17:00

I agree that it does look like a lens cap covering the shot. It could be a detailed model, but then again some said the same thing about the first shots of the J-20 before it lifted off. Time will tell. It has been known (or at least highly suspected) that both Shenyang and Chengdu were working on stealth aircraft projects. Chengdu has the J-20 so maybe this is a first look at what Shenyang might have in the works.