AVIC Baidi Type-B

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.^[1][2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4][5] Critics quickly pointed out that the claims about space operations lacked evidence and were "dubious",^[6] with some soon correctly doubting the aircraft's existence and comparing it to the fictional Darkstar aircraft from the movie Top Gun: Maverick.^[7]

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.^[1] 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.^[4][8]