The J-36, J-50, GJ-11 and a handful of other prototype aircraft all adopted a similar structure (flying doritos) with no tails and a lifting body. Furthermore, the J-50 and likely J-36 are supersonic aircraft and I don't believe there has been a supersonic flying wing yet. Why is China investing in this design so heavily and how are they able to avoid the major hiccups of similar aircraft that the West has faced?

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[–] kristina@hexbear.net 19 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Afaik this is something to do with avoiding radar detection, as a fairly peaceful country it makes sense they'd prefer to invest in seeing others while not being seen.

[–] gay_king_prince_charles@hexbear.net 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

I don't know if it's radar detection. The F-35, F-22, F-117, Su-57, J-35, and J-20 are all stealth aircraft with tails. The B-2 is the only stealth tailless aircraft in use currently. Plus radar cross sections can't really be inferred from vision.

This plane has an RCS of a small bird:

This plane has the RCS of a schoolbus:

[–] AnarchoAnarchist@hexbear.net 14 points 9 months ago

Those are all 5th gen. Designed in the 90s.

Chinas brand new designs are 6th gen. Designed in the 00s. Technology has advanced, designs have advanced, fly-by-wire has advanced, and now there is less need for vertical tail surfaces to maintain maneuverability.

Tailless designs (super advanced US Drones, the NGAD concepts, B2 and B21, new Chinese designs, etc) are better for stealth. It has just taken time for the technology to make it's way from large bombers like the B2 to the smaller Tactical fighters China is building.

[–] OptimusSubprime@hexbear.net 9 points 9 months ago

same-picture