Chinese Sixth Generation Fighter Video a Hoax?

Many claimed that the emergence of the video on December 26, the birth anniversary of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, gave it a stamp of authenticity.

Test aircraft never fly low over buildings

A jarring factor regarding the video is that test flights are never held over cities and test aircraft never fly low over buildings- as the “sixth generation” fighter is seen doing in the video.

Rather, videos and images of test flights are released much after the flights and when there is sufficient data to proclaim the tested aircraft as a “success.”

What is even more concerning is that why would China, which is particularly guarded regarding its military technology developments, expose its sixth generation fighter so that it could be easily snapped up by amateurs with mobile phones.

Chinese future fighter mock up at Airshow China 2024

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) unveiled a mock-up of its conceptual sixth-generation fighter jet during the Airshow China 2024. The aircraft has leading edges quite different from the plane in the video and has what appears to be twin engines with flat nozzles.

The path from a mockup stage to first flight is rather long and has to go through several key milestones such as engine start-up, instrumentation checks and several ground runs before it is cleared for first flight. At the completion of each stages companies release information regarding the success of the milestone. The AVIC has done so in the past with its J-20 and other fighter jets.

Chinese new bomber

China has an upcoming aircraft, the H-20 bomber which was never officially revealed. It was shown under wraps during a promotional video a couple of years ago. Could the aircraft in the video be the mystery bomber? However, if it is so careful as not to show the aircraft in static form, why would AVIC be so careless to fly it all over Chengdu.

China Unveils World’s First Electromagnetic Catapult-Equipped Amphibious Assault Ship
A day after reportedly test-flying the “new fighter jet,” China unveiled its Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, drawing global attention. The ship is equipped with electromagnetic catapult and arresting systems, enabling the deployment of manned aircraft, drones, and helicopters. Launched in Shanghai on Friday, the vessel has a displacement of over 40,000 tons, a full-length flight deck, and a double-island superstructure. If the aircraft test occurred as claimed, China would likely have officially confirmed the event.