Technical Assessment
A large central internal weapons bay (IWB) is
visible, which may be long enough to accommodate the very long-range PL-17 air to air missile, though it is unknown if the depth is sufficient to accommodate a rotary launcher. There are two suspected smaller side IWBs as well, which look to rival the J-20’s primary IWB in length.
This is a
large aircraft, with some estimates of its maximum takeoff weight exceeding 50 tons. Dual wheel main landing gear is testament to its mass. However, substantial control surfaces on the aircraft’s trailing edge are also visible, including
split flap rudders on the outboard wing positions, and may indicate a complex and ambitious flight control regime, particularly if the engines also possess TVC.
Naturally, there are far more unknown characteristics at this stage. The identity of its current powerplants is unclear, with some suggesting either three WS-10 variants or three WS-15 variants. At this stage there are no credible indicators to believe any of the engines are different or intended to operate in a separate flight regime from the others (such as a ramjet). The full intended weapons suite, sensor fit, avionics, networking, electronic warfare (EW), materials, and power generation are all unknown as well, and will likely remain so for many decades into the future.
Overall, this appears to be a large airframe optimized for signature reduction, range, internal volume, and high-altitude as well as high-speed performance, with the ability to maneuver at higher speed regimes, but perhaps not seeking to optimize maneuvering in subsonic speeds. It is unlikely this aircraft will perform post-stall maneuvers like Pugachev’s Cobra or Falling Leaf at an airshow during its lifetime.
