Following the success in the first flight of Xiaolong 03 this past April, news came from Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group that Xiaolong 04 has passed the first round of examination and appraisal by the judging panel consisting of 32 experts from China Aviation Industry Corporation I. It is estimated that the plane will be put into production in October and have its first flight next April.

According to Tianfu Morning Post, Xiaolong 04��s structure is basically the same as that of 03. Xiaolong 03 made partial improvements in internal testing device and air inlet system. The Xiaolong 04 also adopts two-side inlets and the nose of the plane can accommodate large radar antennas. Also it has seven external hard-points capable of carrying multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons and have the capability of launching medium-range missiles and attacking multiple beyond-visible-range targets. Its maximum flying range is 3,500 kilometers with an operational radius of over 1,200 kilometers. It has matched the third generation fighters in terms of overall combat efficacy and possesses the capability to contend with advanced contemporary fighters and certain stealthy capability. It can finish both the interception task and mount air-to-ground attack.

People inside the China Aviation Industry Corporation I said that according to the design need of Xiaolong fighters, four planes are set to test. The 01 is tested for the plane��s performance and engine matching test. The 02 is for static test. The two have been finished successively. The 03 is put to maneuvering stability test and assessment of strength test flight. The test flight of Xiaolong 04 scheduled for next year will be focused on the test of the aviation electronics and weapons.

By People's Daily Online