AVIC Baidi Type-B
{{Short description|Fictional Chinese spaceplane}}
The AVIC Baidi Type-B (白帝, lit. "White Emperor") is a fictional 6th generation stealth fighter spaceplane mock-up built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and unveiled in November 2024 at the Zhuhai Airshow. At the time, some observers discussed the mock-up as if it was a non-fictional aircraft project. In reality, the Baidi model is a science fiction concept derived from an AVIC-sponsored alien invasion novel, which serves the purpose of generating enthusiasm for military development for Chinese youth.{{cite web|url=https://www.voachinese.com/a/baidi-b-concept-aircraft-unveiled-highlights-chinas-space-competition-ambitions-20241125/7876327.html |title=“白帝乙型”空天概念战机亮相 展现中国太空竞争野心？ |website=Voice of America Chinese |date=26 November 2024 |last=陈 |first=筠 }}{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/12/j-36-assessing-chinas-new-generation-combat-aircraft/ |title=J-36: Assessing China’s New Generation Combat Aircraft |website=The Diplomat |date=30 December 2024 |first=Rick |last=Joe |quote=Note that neither the J-36 nor the new SAC aircraft has any relation to the “White Emperor” fictional comic model shown at Zhuhai Airshow 2024. The mere presence of the “White Emperor” in discussions of “sixth-generation aircraft” is misleading at best, and active misinformation at worst. It would be akin to including the “Darkstar” from “Top Gun: Maverick” in an analysis of real-world hypersonic aircraft development. }}
History and reaction
In November 2024, AVIC released footage of a mockup of the “integrated space-air fighter”, named Baidi (White Emperor), which AVIC claimed would be capable of operating in outer space.{{cite web|url=https://www.airdatanews.com/fiction-or-truth-mock-up-of-futuristic-chinese-fighter-attracts-attention-in-zhuhai/ |title=Fiction or truth? Mock-up of futuristic Chinese fighter attracts attention in Zhuhai |website=Air Data News |date=16 November 2024 |first=Ricardo |last=Moriah }} The Baidi is a fictional plane in a popular novel sci-fi series, immediately recognizable to Chinese aviation enthusiasts, but the mockup was interpreted as a real proposal and generated discussions in the West, with many news organizations speculating about its capabilities.{{cite web|url=https://interestingengineering.com/military/china-reveals-mysterious-6th-gen-fighter |title=White Emperor: China reveals mysterious jet that could be its first 6th-gen fighter |website=Interesting Engineering |date=12 November 2024 |first=Kapil |last=Kajal }}{{cite web|url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2024/12/chinas-white-emperor-could-be-a-fake-ngad-6th-generation-fighter/ |title=China’s ‘White Emperor’ Could Be a ‘Fake’ NGAD 6th Generation Fighter |website=1945 |date=24 December 2024 |first=Harrison |last=Kass }} Critics quickly pointed out that the claims about space operations lacked evidence and were "dubious",{{Cite web |last=Kass |first=Harrison |date=November 14, 2024 |title=China's 'NGAD' White Emperor 6th Generation Fighter Is a Problem for the Air Force |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/chinas-ngad-white-emperor-6th-generation-fighter-problem-air-force-213716 |website=The National Interest}} with some soon correctly doubting the aircraft's existence and comparing it to the fictional Darkstar aircraft from the movie Top Gun: Maverick.{{cite web |date=19 November 2024 |title=China’s 'White Emperor' Sixth-Generation Fighter Isn’t Real |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/china%E2%80%99s-white-emperor-sixth-generation-fighter-isn%E2%80%99t-real-213792 |website=The National Interest}}
According to Chinese sources, the fighter mock-up is derived from a science fiction novel and served as a marketing scheme to increase young people's interest in aviation development. However, commentaries also point out that, as AVIC backed the project, the Baidi could be representative of the vision and technological trends that the Chinese aviation industry was pursuing at time.{{cite web|url=https://defence-blog.com/china-unveils-sixth-generation-fighter-concept/ |title=China unveils sixth-generation fighter vision |website=Defense Blog |date=12 November 2024 |first=Dylan |last=Malyasov }}