China's 'NGAD' White Emperor 6th Generation Fighter Is a Problem for the Air Force

China’s Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) recently unveiled the White Emperor, or Baidi, at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, hinting at a potential sixth-generation fighter for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. It should be noted the fighter was unveiled in a mockup format.

While AVIC claims the aircraft is an “integrated space-air fighter” capable of supersonic speeds and even space operations, these assertions remain speculative.

The White Emperor, meanwhile, appears to be, and is stated to be, a functional war-fighting jet with a design that has, “increased the size of the internal weapons bay to hold heavier air-to-ground munitions.” That the Chinese have created an airframe that can operate in space and hold significant weapon payloads internally seems unlikely.

AVIC is boasting of other improvements, too, albeit in vague terms. An information plaque next to the displayed White Emperor stated, “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 unveils sixth-generation fighter vision

The showcased model indicates that AVIC has made significant modifications to the airframe, particularly focusing on the aft section and wing configurations, likely intended to increase internal weapons bay capacity and facilitate the carriage of larger, heavier air-to-ground weapons. The modifications also appear to contribute to an overall improvement in stealth capabilities and maneuverability.

According to information provided at the airshow, the goal of the White Emperor Type B Variant is to enhance the aircraft’s human-machine interaction, streamline maintenance processes, and boost the combat efficiency and sortie rate of the platform.

Experts speculate that the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) elements and enhanced data fusion capabilities is likely a priority in the development of this fighter. These advancements would enable better integration of information and seamless coordination with unmanned aerial systems, which is a hallmark of sixth-generation aircraft concepts. While detailed technical specifications remain under wraps, the mock-up represents China’s ambition to keep pace in the race to develop sixth-generation air capabilities, potentially alongside developments in other countries, such as the United States’ Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program and Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS).