Images suggest China's tailless J-50/XDS fighter still in flight testing

Fresh images shared on Chinese social media appear to show continued flight testing of a tailless combat aircraft developed by AVIC Shenyang, referred to tentatively as the J-50/XDS. The photographs show the twin-engine jet carrying what appears to be a revised radome, which may indicate that a new radar is being evaluated during test flights.

If the images are authentic, they also show the aircraft flying without a pitot tube, a change that would point to a later stage of the test programme.

The J-50/XDS lacks conventional rudders and instead uses thrust-vectoring engines for control. The powerplant has not been confirmed. It is likely the aircraft uses the Shenyang WS-10 Taihang, described as Beijing's most mature engine, though some observers have suggested the more advanced WS-15 may be fitted. The WS-15 is optimised for advanced stealth aircraft and is thought to deliver greater electrical output than the WS-10, which would matter for supplying and cooling onboard electronics and sensors.

The design first came to public attention in late December 2024, alongside the three-engine Chengdu J-36. A year later, in December 2025, an annual US Department of War assessment of Chinese military capabilities said China was working on two "sixth generation" jets that could enter service in 2035.