China has revealed a mysterious aircraft that could be the first 6th generation fighter jet

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has unveiled a new aircraft that could potentially become a 6th generation fighter for Air Force of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLAAF), at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai.

The aircraft, dubbed Baidi or White Emperor, is part of a project by state-owned aerospace and defense company AVIC to create what state media described as an "integrated aerospace fighter".

According to Voice of China, a division of state broadcaster CCTV, the design concept envisions the ability to achieve supersonic flight and penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere for space operations. An information plaque next to the Baidi model indicates that the latest design “has increased the size of the internal weapons bay to accommodate heavier air-to-surface munitions.” It goes on to say: “The Baidi B-type fighter has undergone thorough avionics upgrades, cabin design improvements and maintenance optimization, greatly enhancing its deployment readiness and operational efficiency.”

China is developing this fighter as part of the Nantianmen project – research and educational initiative aimed at the technologies of the future. The main goal of the White Emperor is mission flexibility, greatly enhanced by significant changes to the fuselage and increased internal missile bays. These modifications allow the aircraft to carry heavy aviation weapons inside, improving its stealth and combat characteristics.

Along with a state-of-the-art avionics system, the design prioritizes interaction between pilot and machine, simplifying maintenance, making the aircraft well-suited for air dominance and high-intensity tactical missions. At first glance, the White Emperor fascinates with its avant-garde, almost fantastical appearance, displaying bold, angular shapes and a decidedly understated look. Its streamlined aerodynamic shape illustrates its commitment to stealth technology, which aims to make the aircraft nearly invisible to enemy radar systems.

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The fighter's sharp, rounded nose is carefully designed to cut through the atmosphere with minimal drag, and its overall configuration seamlessly integrates into the sky. The cockpit canopy has a dark, multi-faceted design, likely designed to reduce reflectivity. Its dome design reduces radar echoes and shields the pilot from infrared and laser guidance systems, vital for defense. The fairing seamlessly integrates with the fuselage to form a continuous, low-drag shape optimized for high-speed maneuverable and stealthy operations.

The fuselage of the White Emperor attracts attention with its wide, powerful physique, the taper at the rear shows both strength and aerodynamic efficiency. This design features spacious internal compartments that conceal weapons from enemy detection, demonstrating advanced stealth capabilities suitable for missions deep in complex airspace. The wing structure has a compact delta shape with sharply defined, ice-like edges.

Song Zhongping, a former instructor of the PLA, said the Baidi fighter is likely to be a sixth-generation fighter currently under development, stressing the "fast China's progress and ambitions in setting future aerospace standards.

The United States first acknowledged that China was developing sixth-generation fighter jets about two years ago. China is stepping up its response to the US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program. (NGAD)», – stated in September 2022 General Mark D. Kelly, head of the Air Combat Command (ACC).

General Kelly expects China's highly classified initiatives to lead to a "system of systems" for air combat similar to the US Air Force's vision, which includes a sixth-generation manned fighter.