Key Points – China’s showcased sixth-generation “White Emperor” (Baidi) space fighter concept, with its claimed hypersonic, near-space, and directed-energy capabilities, is likely a “paper tiger” or a strategic misdirection aimed at a strained US defense budget.
-The required technology is believed to not yet exist.
-The real and immediate challenge to US air superiority comes from China’s operational fifth-generation stealth fighters, the J-20 and J-35.
-China’s ability to mass-produce these jets (over 300 J-20s already built) poses a significant quantitative threat that could overwhelm
-Western qualitative advantages, fundamentally altering the military balance in the Indo-Pacific.
The White Emperor Does Not Seem Real
Over the last decade, China’s aerospace industry has advanced considerably. Where it was once only able to reproduce old Soviet tech, China is now an industrial powerhouse that is able to produce two fifth-generation stealth fighters, a capability only shared by the United States.
China caused quite a stir when it unveiled its sixth-generation White Emperor, or Baidi, fighter, late last year. This fighter can reportedly operate in space, utilize direct energy weapons, and utilize a variety of cutting-edge weaponry.
Soon after the dust settled, analysts took a closer look at the fighter and realized that the White Emperor may be nothing more than a paper tiger.
White Emperor: China is Making Space Fighters?
The White Emperor, was first showcased at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), this fighter jet is part of the Nantianmen Project, which aims to integrate space and air combat capabilities.
The White Emperor is designed to operate at near-space altitudes, making it a unique addition to China’s military arsenal.
The White Emperor boasts advanced stealth capabilities, with a tailless, diamond-shaped airframe, which resembles something out of a sci-fi film, designed to minimize radar cross-section. This design is intended to enhance its survivability in contested environments.
The jet is reportedly capable of achieving supersonic speeds and potentially hypersonic speeds, allowing it to quickly traverse large distances and evade enemy defenses.
One of the most revolutionary aspects of the White Emperor is its ability to operate in both the atmosphere and near-space. This dual capability is aimed at providing strategic advantages in both air and space domains.
According to Chinese sources, the White Emperor is equipped with an elongated weapons bay to accommodate nuclear-tipped hypersonic missiles and anti-satellite weapons. This arsenal positions the jet as a formidable force in both offensive and defensive operations.
The jet features AI-enhanced avionics, which improve its operational effectiveness and reduce pilot workload. AI integration also enables advanced decision-making capabilities in complex combat scenarios. Additionally, the White Emperor is rumored to be equipped with directed-energy (laser) systems, which could be used for missile defense and other tactical applications.
Too Good to be True
China’s technological advancements in recent years have been nothing short of impressive.
However, it did not take long before analysts took a closer look at the White Emperor and realized that most of the China’s claims are likely made up.
The technology required to sustain a fighter jet in space simply does not yet exist according to experts.
Additionally, the airframe would need to be strong enough to resist the heat of reentry and withstand the hypersonic speeds China claims it can reach. Some analysts suspect that the White Emperor is nothing more than a paper tiger designed to spook the West into believing that China is more advanced than it really is.
Other analysts suspect that the White Emperor may actually be a strategic misdirect to divert the west’s resources. Sure, most of its systems are still in the realm of science fiction, but what if that’s the point?
Similar to the “Star Wars” program launched by US President Ronald Regan at the end of the Cold War, it is possible that the White Emperor is a deliberate ploy to trick the US into stretching an already strained defense budget.
The J-35 and J-20: the Real Threat
While the White Emperor may be a phony, China’s other fifth-generation aircraft are not.
The J-35 is a good example of this. Based on open source analysis, the aircraft is estimated to be approximately 17.3 meters in length, with a wingspan of around 11.5 meters and a height of about 4.8 meters. Its maximum takeoff weight is believed to be in the range of 25,000 kilograms. The J-35A is powered by two turbofan engines, likely Chinese WS-19 engines each capable of producing around 100 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner.
Earlier versions of the aircraft were suspected to use Russian RD-93MA, also used by the MiG-29. With its engine loadout, experts estimate that the J-35 can reach speeds of around Mach 1.8.
In terms of range, the J-35A is expected to have a combat radius of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers and a ferry range of up to 3,000 kilometers. It can operate at altitudes up to 16,000 meters. The aircraft is equipped with an advanced avionics suite, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for long-range detection and tracking, an electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) for passive targeting, and an infrared search and track (IRST) system for stealthy detection of enemy aircraft. It also features electronic countermeasures (ECM) for jamming and deception and is designed to operate as part of a network-centric warfare environment, sharing data with other assets in real time.
The J-35A and the J-20 Mighty Dragon represent a real and tangible threat to American air superiority. Moreover, China can mass-produce these advanced stealth fighters in great numbers. It has produced more than 300 J-20s alone and its J-35 production is set to ramp up in the near future.
While perhaps lesser in quality than the F-35 and F-22, China is not lagging that far behind. If production continues as planned, it will enjoy a firm quantitative advantage, ensuring near undisputed arial superiority.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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Donald Berry
July 8, 2025 at 9:28 am
From the look of it they should call it the Peking duck.