Images of what appears to be a new Chinese stealth aircraft emerged on social media Thursday — indicating Beijing may be unveiling a sixth-generation crewed combat jet.
The video and images, which have not yet been verified, appear to show a tailless jet soaring with a two-seat Chengdu J-20S fighter closely behind.
The Chinese Defense Ministry has kept mum on the sightings so far.
It’s unclear where the aircraft was flying — or who took the video — but the imagery aligns with some intelligence that has suggested China was developing a stealth fighter.
In October 2021, a similarly tailless aircraft was spotted in satellite images of a Chengdu Aircraft Corporation factory airfield in China, though the two jets appeared different in shape, according to The War Zone.
Though the US has tailless aircraft already, such as the B2 bomber, it has not yet produced its own 6th-generation fighter jet.
The aircraft is being pursued to for their ability to reduce a jet’s radar signature, making them better at avoiding detection.
The relatively large aircraft appeared roughly 70 feet long, indicating it was designed to fly long distances, according to The War Zone.
The reported Chinese aircraft appears to have been designed for stealth and endurance — two key assets Beijing would need if taking on an adversary at a great distance away, such as the US.
It’s long been suspected that China has been working on a six-generation combat aircraft as Beijing rapidly advances its military.
However, it remains unclear whether the jet seen online was legitimate, a prototype of soon-to-come Chinese stealth aircraft or a sign of things still under development.
The Post has reached out to the Pentagon for comment about the possible Chinese aircraft.