There may be a Chinese VSTOL fighter being developed

There are numerous rumored aircraft projects in the world. Some have some fairly solid evidence for their existence - the RQ-180 and Green Lady - while others are mostly bunk. Looking at you, Aurora and TR-3B. Most of these rumored aircraft were and are in the US. The US has a long tradition of Black Projects and a very large associated budget. However, the US isn't the only country to do so.

Germany had its Lamprey, a stealth aircraft designed around the time frame as the F-117 Nighthawk. The British had the semi black FOAS. It should be no surprise the Chinese have their own black projects. The Malan Triangle is a good example and has come out of the cold as the WZ-8. Given the size of the Chinese economy and its increasing technological prowess, we shouldn't be surprised.

One of the long rumored Chinese aircraft has been a VSTOL along the lines of the Harrier, Yak-38, Yak-141, EWR JV 101, and F-35B. This has come and gone in the rumor mill for ages. It could just be hopium on the part of the chinese fanboys. OTOH, it would be a very useful capability to have in the West Pacific. On the gripping hand, VSTOL is really hard, to be sure, and very few nations have successfully built new birds able to do the stunt. That China was not pursuing a VSTOl bird could be just lumped into the case of 'hard enough to not be worth it right now' category and there has been ZERO evidence of it really existing. Then these came to light.

Patents were filed by a Chinese aerospace company on how to build a VSTOL aircraft. It's a bit different than the Yak-style, definitely different than the harrier or the F-35B. It does use a smaller auxiliary jet engine, but keeps it horizontal and above the main intakes. Take a look for yourself:





Then, of course, the fanboys did some renderings:





The question is whether or not there is actually a VSTOL program. There is interest in the company but that does not mean the PLAAF or the PLAN are supporting the development. This could just be a case of a company patenting something so if a rival tries to implement it, the patent either works as a spoiler or a source of revenue if the owner doesn't win the competition.

Who knows?

What do you guys think?

It would make sense for their LHD hulls.

a reply to: Zaphod58

It would make sense with their LHD hulls and the upcoming LHA/CVL hulls they bidded out.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I was thinking the same thing.
The technology has been around for decades, since they've been expanding their carrier fleet. It stands to reason they're going to want VTOL Jets.

It looks like the X-32 and an F-107 had a love child.

Actually kinda neat looking…