As long as you give enough margin in the design for different airflow needs, you can use an older engine to get your aerodynamics demonstrator flying, and even make some 5.5gen models with 6gen stats in general and just lacking proper engines. See the KF21 for a 5th gen example of that.
Broadband LO, long range, and use of CCAs seem to be the 3 major points. We can reasonably add adaptive flow engines, though that may just be to enable supercruise with long range.
Other than perhaps broadband LO (which isn't used on fighters now, and frankly is up to debate if it's really a generational feature - it comes with permanent tradeoff), those aren't generational.
OR just a PS joke？（｀Δ´）！ Now Pentagon should answer(=ﾟДﾟ=)
Merry Chrismas PENTAGON(ﾟOﾟ)
Literally no 5th gen was finished the way intended.
F-22 pretty much was, and so was the F-35, Blk 4 are upgrades the USAF sees necessary for the 2030s. But compared to the modifications Chinese planes seem to make its extremely modest. J-20 and J-35 underwent changes to the airframe structure multiple times from first flight and both will go through 3 different interim engines before ending where they need it.
No vertical stabilizers but a double set of clamshell-flaps on the wingtips for yaw control... Could be a technology demonstrator as well.
Chinese on both sides , just depends on which side does it faster.
2 side/under intakes and one on top seems to really point to 3 engines imo. And those are split rudders sticking out at the end akin to B-2
View: https://x.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1872202725439778856
But why the different end design? It looks like two nozzles / engine and the middle shaft which often contains a tail with sensors an many fighters.
Rather reminds me of the airbrakes on the A-6, but utilised for yaw control.
