China unveils Purple Fire fighter jet concept

At the China International Helicopter Expo in Tianjin, the Nantianmen project unveiled a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fighter jet concept called Purple Fire.

Purple Fire attracts considerable attention from experts, Caliber.Az reports, citing a post on ALCON Intelligence’s Instagram account.

By all appearances, this is a versatile combat platform designed to perform a variety of tasks.

It can be reconfigured for missions such as search-and-rescue, casualty evacuation, and emergency response. A key feature of Purple Fire is its advanced artificial intelligence.

Experts say this looks like a technology demonstrator rather than a real program that will be fielded in the near future. Its practical deployment in the medium term is considered unlikely because of challenges with the engine, autonomy, and certification.

At the same time, it should be noted that Beijing is actively developing next‑generation combat aircraft.

One of the most notable projects is the J-36 from Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group — a large aircraft weighing roughly 50 tonnes that is equipped with three engines (more than other modern fighters).

Some analysts believe it could carry very long‑range weapons.

The Nantianmen Project is an ambitious Chinese aerospace initiative blending science fiction with advanced technology.

Spearheaded by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), it envisions a comprehensive defence system featuring space-capable fighters, airborne carriers, and advanced weaponry.

The project gained significant attention with the unveiling of the "Baidi" (White Emperor) sixth-generation fighter at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, showcasing a tailless, diamond-wing design optimised for stealth and near-space operations.

By Khagan Isayev