China’s Type B Unmanned Stealth Fighter

China’s latest parade in Beijing gave the clearest look yet at a new tailless combat drone dubbed Type B. The large, low‑observable airframe looks closer to a China unmanned stealth fighter than to a loyal‑wingman. Its J‑10‑like size hints at high performance and a push toward uncrewed air superiority.

Key Facts

• Tailless, modified‑delta planform with diamond‑like wing; diverterless supersonic intakes (DSI) indicate potential supersonic performance.

• Single‑engine layout with serrated, variable‑geometry nozzle; pointed aft fuselage extensions reminiscent of fifth‑generation fighters.

• Chin‑mounted EO/IR targeting fairing akin to F‑35’s EOTS, implying fighter‑style sensing and target prosecution.

• Underside geometry suggests internal weapons bays to preserve low observability while carrying AAMs/PGMs.

• Public designation unconfirmed; widely referred to as “Type B” or “Unmanned Air Superiority Fighter.”

Why Type B Matters: From Wingmen to Uncrewed Fighters

Most autonomous airpower efforts focus on small, affordable CCAs that support crewed fighters. The China unmanned stealth fighter seen here aims higher: performance and survivability first, not just mass.

Its size, shaping, and sensors point to a system built to contest air superiority. If fielded at scale, such aircraft could stress air defenses and dilute the current edge of manned fifth‑generation fleets.

Airframe & Propulsion: What DSI Intakes Reveal

Type B uses forward‑raked DSI inlets that cut parts and weight while handling boundary layer without external diverters. Combined with a tailless, diamond‑like wing with cropped tips, the design points to a supersonic envelope.

A long afterbody and a serrated, variable‑geometry nozzle seek a balance between thrust and signature control. Rear‑aspect stealth still suffers with a round exhaust, but serrations help. Future blocks could adopt a flatter, two‑dimensional nozzle or thrust vectoring. Deleting the cockpit frees volume for fuel and avionics, extending range and endurance.

Sensors, Weapons, and Mission Profile

A chin fairing likely houses an EOTS‑class sensor for passive search, laser designation, and long‑range identification. Small apertures around the fuselage may provide 360‑degree awareness.

Breaks on the smooth belly suggest large internal bays for BVR missiles and precision bombs. Near term, the airframe can act as a high‑end UCAV. With software growth, it could fly cooperative tactics while a human stays on the loop.

Doctrine: Beyond CCA Toward Autonomous Air Superiority

Western roadmaps lean on CCAs as multipliers for manned jets. Type B hints at a different path: uncrewed assets that can lead parts of the air‑dominance mission.

If such a fighter can hold formation, prosecute targets, and manage sensor‑weapon timelines, forces can scale combat power without the same pilot pipeline and training burden.

Industry Implications and Competitive Benchmarks

Direct peers are few. Turkey’s Bayraktar Kızılelma favors raw kinematics over low observability. U.S. public programs emphasize lower‑cost CCAs and modular payloads.

A China unmanned stealth fighter of this size signals maturing composites, serrated door and nozzle manufacture, and high‑temperature treatments for hot‑section management. Likely upgrades include a flatter nozzle, refined inlet lips, possible carrier options, and software blocks for autonomy with a two‑seat J‑20 controller.

What We Still Don’t Know

Key unknowns remain: engine class and cooling, weight, weapons status, and flight‑test progress. Parade serials may point to a PLAAF unit yet do not prove readiness.

China has shown mock‑ups before. Even so, the finish and detail here suggest proximity to trials.

Internal & External Links

Related on Defence Agenda: China’s LY‑1 naval laser [1]

Primary source and expert analysis: UAS Vision report [2]; The War Zone technical breakdown [3]; Air & Space Forces overview [4]; The Aviationist parade imagery and UCAV context [5]; AP News event wrap‑up [6].