A just lately emerged picture reveals a really giant, low-observable, flying-wing plane within the air in China. Whereas the id of the plane can’t be definitively established, it matches, in lots of respects, the looks of the large drone that TWZ was first to establish in satellite tv for pc imagery courting from earlier this summer time, and which you’ll be able to learn extra about right here.
The brand new picture of the plane in flight reveals its rear facet, with the touchdown gear down, giant most important undercarriage doorways, and with B-2-style break up rudders deployed on the outer wing, according to takeoff or touchdown. From this angle, we will see that its blended wing-body features a broad heart part, with a distinctly flattened prime. No cockpit is seen, however that could be a chance that can’t be dominated out solely. The form of the middle part additionally suggests it is a twin-engine design, with slot-like exhaust nozzles, however as soon as once more, the low decision limits the diploma to which these particulars could be made out.
The total-size, unedited model of the picture of the low-observable, flying-wing plane. through X
At this level, it’s value remembering that the emergence of this picture was very presumably authorised, tacitly or in any other case, by the Chinese language authorities, and it might even have been manipulated in some unspecified time in the future, probably additionally for data warfare functions.
Whereas we will’t make certain, the plane seen in flight might nicely even be the identical drone that was famous in satellite tv for pc imagery parked at China’s secretive take a look at base close to Malan in Xinjiang province earlier this yr. The picture of the drone seen at this location, which is understood to play a number one function within the nation’s uncrewed plane growth efforts, was offered to TWZ by Planet Labs archive and was taken on Might 14, 2025. Based mostly on the satellite tv for pc picture, the plane has a span of about 170 toes, which compares to 172 toes for the B-2 Spirit. Since its look, the drone has been dubbed WZ-X by some observers, pending any extra particulars about its true designation or its producer.
The very giant flying-wing design seen at China’s secretive take a look at base close to Malan in Xinjiang province in a satellite tv for pc picture taken on Might 14, 2025. PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION
Each the plane within the new picture and that seen in satellite tv for pc imagery at Malan characteristic a really lengthy tapering wing, longer than that discovered on China’s CH-7 stealthy flying-wing drone, which additionally encompasses a notably deeper, curved heart part than that seen within the new picture. The CH-7 is considerably smaller than the WZ-X, as nicely. On the identical time, the design of the CH-7 has already been altered prior to now, and the plane seen right here would possibly conceivably be an additional growth of this platform.
CH-7 stealthy flying-wing drone. through Chinese language web
The obvious CH-7 prototype on the runway. through Chinese language web
There are two potential options of the WZ-X that can’t be made out within the new picture. The primary of those is an obvious domed part on prime of the middle barrel. In distinction, the plane within the new picture is noticeably flat on its higher surfaces.
There may be additionally the suggestion that the Malan drone might presumably have a small set of angled vertical tails, which might assist with stability, as you possibly can examine right here. Whereas the presence of retractable fins can’t be dominated out within the new picture, it’s additionally value declaring that the presence of shadows and potential distortion on the satellite tv for pc picture implies that we will’t make definitive conclusions about its bodily particulars.
Each the plane within the new picture and the WZ-X even have a common similarity to the flying-wing plane that was noticed passing over the Philippines in 2021.
Whatever the connection between these typically mysterious plane, the plane within the new picture would seem to fall into the same class because the WZ-X when it comes to total bodily traits and dimension, though the second level is more durable to find out. On the very least, a comparability of the scale of the touchdown gear and the remainder of the plane suggests a really giant plane. China is presently engaged on a spread of flying-wing kind drone designs of varied sizes, together with giant HALE drones. A minimum of till now, the WZ-X was the biggest Chinese language design now we have seen on this class.
Judging by what we will see of it, the plane seems more likely to be a really giant, high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) stealth drone. This may increasingly nicely put it in a class just like the supposed U.S. RQ-180. The lengthy wing would additionally appear to level to a design that’s been optimized for endurance at altitude.
Our notional illustration of what the RQ-180 might appear to be, primarily based on publicly disclosed details about very related ideas from Northrop Grumman that appear to have predated this system. Hangar B Productions
As acknowledged beforehand, the middle part of the plane is probably not noticeably deep, however it’s broad, pointing to important inner quantity for sensors. Most probably, its mission can be very lengthy endurance penetrating wide-area reconnaissance, with strike being far much less probably for an plane on this class. Taking into consideration the possible long-range missions anticipated of it, the middle part probably additionally accommodates beyond-line-of-sight communications programs.
It is usually intriguing that the picture has appeared at this level. In current weeks, there was a flurry of images leaked from China displaying new crewed plane and drones, land programs, missiles, and naval weapons. A lot of that is associated to the large upcoming army parade to mark the eightieth anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World Conflict II, scheduled to happen in Beijing on September 3.
Completely different CCA-like drones set to be proven on the parade on September 3 are seen in a satellite tv for pc picture from Google Earth taken in June. Google Earth
Whether or not the flying-wing plane is anticipated to participate within the parade in some kind is unclear, nevertheless it’s sure that the emergence of the picture is unlikely to be an accident. Previously, imagery of this type has typically been taken of latest plane working from a manufacturing facility airfield. That could be extra probably than it being photographed overhead Malan, which is a distant and secretive take a look at facility. Nevertheless, till extra imagery emerges, we received’t know for positive.
One other view of the so-called WZ-X at Malan. PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION
As soon as once more, it will likely be a while earlier than we will conclusively decide the connection between this plane and the WZ-X, though there are definitely robust similarities between them.
In the meantime, it’s now more and more clear that China is seeking to discipline giant, stealthy flying-wing plane designs as a part of its future air fight ecosystem. In addition to drones of this class in varied sizes, different key initiatives embrace the tri-engined J-36, the J-XDS fighter, and presumably different crewed tactical jets. Then there’s a host of smaller drones, together with a rising fleet of ‘loyal wingman’-type collaborative drones. Maybe most enigmatic of all is the H-20 stealth bomber, which is but to interrupt cowl, and which can also be anticipated to make use of a flying-wing design.
As regards the H-20, the scale of the middle fuselage and different options counsel this plane is one thing totally different. Whereas the scale and type of the H-20 stay elusive, any giant flying-wing HALE drone might additionally affect the event of the bomber, if it’s not flying already.
As soon as once more, the looks of the brand new picture of the plane underscores China’s quickly accelerating next-generation air fight applications, which now embrace probably a number of designs for very giant, low-observable, flying-wing, long-endurance plane.
Contact the writer: thomas@thewarzone.com
