AI, quantum navigation & drone swarms: China’s J-50 aims to ‘leapfrog’ fighter technology

China’s next-generation stealth fighters are being designed with advanced autonomous capabilities that could allow them to fly without a pilot, navigate without satellite signals and control large groups of drones, according to new research by Chinese military aircraft designers.The research comes from the Shenyang Aircraft Design & Research Institute, linked to the development of the aircraft widely known as the J-50.A paper led by the institute’s chief flight-control designer, Zhang Dong, describes a “leapfrog transformation” in next-generation fighter technology, aimed at moving rapidly to more advanced capabilities instead of developing them step by step.It describes concepts including automatic control if a pilot is incapacitated, quantum navigation when satellite signals are unavailable, and fighter aircraft working with drones for attack, reconnaissance and protection missions.What does the “leapfrog” technology mean?The research points to a major shift in how China wants its next-generation fighters to operate.