Dec 2024 is the month of the PLAAF. Can't help but to post a PLAAF thread.

First is the debut of 6th gen J-36 in its maiden flight on Dec 26. J-36 prototype 36011.

J-36 three engines can be seen. It seem the three engines are identical. Unless there's new and more advance engine, it can only be WS-15.

Maiden flight of J-36 accompanied by J-20S.

J-36 AI CG showing the top view.

J-36 artwork.

J-36 CG.

And of course next-gen fighter will enter combat with accompanying CCA drones. Looks like GJ-11.

The second is the debut of SAC 6th gen maiden flight on Dec 22, chased by J-11. Unfortunately no HD pix and info is available.

This model in 2021 exhibition might be what SAC's next gen fighter looks like.

NGAD characteristics. The requirement for long range, heavy payload, high speed inadvertently increase the weight and size of the NGAD.

J-20A prototype 2057, the last of J-20A prototype. After this, J-20A with WS15 is ready for production. I guess CAC will switch to J-20A production next year, producing at a rate of around a hundred annually, close to the 90-110 F-35 produced in 2024. Unless they expedite it, J-36 is expected to enter service from 2030 onwards. In the meantime, the most advanced fighter in PLAAF would be J-20A. They've at least five years to mass produce J-20A. And BTW, WS-15 is ready for production since we see J-20A prototype.

J-20S chaser in the J-36 maiden flight on Dec 26.

J-20 with WS-10C.

J-20 firing PL-10.

J-20 in dusk.

J-35.

J-16 with 4 PL-17. J-36 can carry these in internal bay.

Another important debut is the KJ-3000 on Dec 27. The next gen AWACS for PLAAF feature four dual-band phase array in four direction.

According to Huitong, this is KJ-700, which means it's also a new gen of AWACS based on the Y-9 platform. With AESA dual band side panel. The main air/sea search radar is housed in the three sided panel radar dome.

GJ-11 attack drone.

WZ-9 UAV AWACS to detect stealth aircraft and flying objects.

CH-7 survelliance drone finished ground taxi test. Almost ready for maiden flight.

MD-19 hypersonic demonstrator.

"J-36" exhibited in Zhuhai 2024. This may not be the actual J-36, but it should showcase some technology used in J-36, such as the sensors distributed across the airframe and wing. This may also hint at J-36 being a single seater, in which case the pilot would have AI assistant to help process the information from the sensors.

The missing piece is the H-20. H-20 can be evolved into variants such as stealth tanker. This is AVIC official H-20 model, does this represent the H-20?

We must build a powerful PLAAF.

Throw that backward hat across the pond.