Images have emerged of yet another stealthy fighter-like aircraft in China, and right now the big debate is whether it’s crewed or a drone. The pictures were posted Monday and The War Zone has been busily analyzing them. “A high-performance, highly autonomous uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) with collaborative ‘loyal wingman’ capabilities is a major possibility,” The War Zone wrote. “Still, based on the design, this could very well be yet another sixth-generation crewed jet.”
The plane was photographed with gear up and gear down and looks to be about the normal size of a modern fighter. That sets it apart from the J-36 tactical jet, which is like a small bomber. That aircraft was first spotted earlier this year and is now flying regularly in the open. The new sighting is further evidence of China’s aggressive campaign to modernize and expand the air arm of the People’s Liberation Army. The buildup included drones and sixth-generation fighters.
