sixth generation j-36
Search
J-36 sixth generation fighter China 2025 J-36 stealth fighter Chengdu prototype J-36 vs NGAD sixth generation J-36 specifications range payload 18 results
The J-36 (also referred to as "J-XX" or "JH-XX" in some sources) represents China's most ambitious sixth-generation fighter program, developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). First revealed in December 2024, it has rapidly progressed through multiple prototype iterations, with the fourth prototype flying by January 2026—just 14 months after the first sighting.
Design and Configuration
The J-36 features several radical design elements:
Triple-Engine Layout: It is the world's first fighter with a three-engine configuration—two engines in side intakes and a larger central engine fed by a dorsal intake. This arrangement provides the thrust needed for its massive size while potentially offering fuel efficiency advantages for long-range missions.
Tailless Blended-Wing Design: The aircraft employs a tailless or blended-wing-body (BWB) configuration with diamond delta wings. This reduces radar cross-section and improves aerodynamic efficiency, though it requires sophisticated computerized control systems using 13 active control surfaces (including split flaps near the wingtips) to maintain stability without traditional tail surfaces.
Two-Person Crew: The side-by-side seating arrangement accommodates a pilot and a weapon systems operator, suggesting a command-and-control role for managing unmanned assets.
Performance Specifications
Copy
| Parameter | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 50-55 tons (110,000-120,000 lbs) |
| Combat Radius | 3,000+ km (1,860+ miles) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,000 meters (~98,000 ft) |
| Internal Payload | 6-10 tons (12,000-20,000 lbs) |
| Supercruise | Mach 2.0+ |
| Maximum Speed | Potentially Mach 3-5 (with ramjet/scramjet) |
The J-36's range is expected to be approximately four times that of the F-22 Raptor, enabling extended operations over the Pacific without aerial refueling.
Weapons and Capabilities
The aircraft features a large internal weapons bay (approximately 6m x 1.6m) capable of carrying:
- Long-range air-to-air missiles (including the developmental PL-21 ramjet-powered missile)
- Hypersonic weapons
- Standoff munitions
- Miniaturized precision munitions in auxiliary bays
Sixth-Generation Features
The J-36 is designed as a "system of systems" rather than just a fighter:
- AI-Driven Battle Management: Advanced multi-sensor fusion architecture for autonomous operations
- Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Capability to direct unmanned combat aircraft (CCA/Loyal Wingman)
- Multi-Spectral Stealth: Reduced radar signature across X, L, and VLF bands (omnidirectional stealth)
- Electronic Warfare: Comprehensive EMS dominance capabilities
Development Timeline
China's development pace has surprised Western observers:
- December 2024: First prototype revealed
- October 2025: Second prototype spotted with design changes (DSI intakes, revised landing gear, F-22-style thrust vectoring nozzles)
- December 2025: Third prototype flew (one-year anniversary of program disclosure)
- January 2026: Fourth prototype flying
This rapid iteration suggests the PLAAF has given the program highest priority, with entry into service potentially by 2030—years ahead of the U.S. NGAD F-47 timeline.
Strategic Context
Chengdu designer Yang Shuifeng has publicly stated that China's integrated R&D approach allows for rapid capability generation, contrasting it with what Chinese designers criticize as American "perennial budget overruns, slow adaptation of emerging military technologies, and lack of understanding of peer competitors."
The J-36 appears designed specifically for Pacific theater operations—its extreme range enables strikes on distant targets (including aircraft carriers and potentially B-21 Raider bases) while operating from mainland China. This aligns with China's Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy.
The aircraft represents a potential paradigm shift: combining the payload of a tactical bomber with the stealth and agility of a fighter, while serving as a command node for drone swarms in contested airspace.