The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) revealed a new jet, potentially a 6th-generation fighter for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai.

Referred to as Baidi or White Emperor, this jet is part of a project by the state-owned aerospace and defense company AVIC to create what state media has characterized as an “integrated space-air fighter.”

As reported by Voice of China, a division of the state-run broadcaster CCTV, the design concept features capabilities to achieve supersonic flight and break through the Earth's atmosphere for space operations.

An information plaque next to the Baidi model indicates that the most recent design has “increased the size of the internal weapons bay to hold heavier air-to-ground munitions.”

It further states, “The Baidi Type B fighter has undergone a thorough avionics enhancement, improving cockpit design and streamlining maintenance processes, which significantly enhances its readiness for deployment and operational effectiveness.”

China is developing this fighter as part of the Nantianmen Project, a research and education initiative focused on future technology.

6th-gen space-air fighter

The White Emperor's primary goal appears to be flexible mission capabilities, greatly enhanced by significant alterations to its fuselage and larger internal missile compartments.

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These modifications enable the aircraft to carry heavy aerial armaments internally, improving its stealth characteristics and combat performance.

Alongside a cutting-edge avionics system, the design prioritizes the interaction between the pilot and the machine while simplifying maintenance, making the jet well-suited for air supremacy and high-intensity tactical missions.

At a glance, the White Emperor captivates with its avant-garde, almost sci-fi appearance, showcasing bold, angular shapes and a distinctly stealthy look.

Its smooth, aerodynamic form illustrates a strong dedication to stealth technology, aiming to render the aircraft almost undetectable to enemy radar systems.

The fighter’s sharp, rounded nose is carefully designed to cut through the atmosphere with minimal drag while its overall configuration seamlessly integrates into the skies.

The cockpit canopy showcases a dark, multi-faceted design, likely constructed to diminish reflective signatures.

This canopy reduces radar echoes and protects the pilot from infrared and laser targeting systems, vital for defense.

The canopy seamlessly integrates with the fuselage, forming a continuous, low-resistance shape optimized for high-speed agility and stealth operations.

Mysterious jet

The White Emperor's fuselage commands attention with its broad, powerful stature. Elegantly narrowing at the rear suggests both robust strength and aerodynamic efficiency.

This design features spacious internal compartments that hide lethal weapons from enemy detection, demonstrating an advanced stealth capability suited for missions deep within challenging airspace.

The wing structure is remarkable: a compact, delta-style formation with sharply defined, ice-like edges.

This design emphasizes supersonic speed and agile handling, akin to predatory birds executing swift, deadly aerial maneuvers.

Every contour and edge highlights a singular purpose— to blend seamlessly with the sky and strike with lethal accuracy while remaining unnoticed.

The United States is developing next-generation fighters, including Lockheed Martin's SR-72 Darkstar project, which aims to produce a hypersonic reconnaissance drone.

Reports indicate that a test model could be ready by next year. The final version is expected to achieve a top speed of Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound.

Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor, reportedly said the Baidi fighter likely represents a sixth-generation fighter currently in development, emphasizing “China’s swift advancements and ambitions to set future aerospace standards.”

The United States first recognized China’s development of sixth-generation fighters roughly two years ago. “China is enhancing its response to the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance [NGAD] program,” said General Mark D. Kelly, head of Air Combat Command [ACC], in September 2022.

General Kelly expects that China’s highly classified initiatives will produce a similar “system of systems” framework for air combat to the U.S. Air Force's vision, which includes a sixth-generation piloted fighter.

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