How sixth-gen J-36 aircraft seeks to revolutionise Chinese air power

On December 26, 2023, China unveiled a new generation of stealth combat aircraft, which made its maiden flight in Chengdu, the Southwest capital city of Sichuan Province. This aircraft, named by the defence community as the J-36, is the latest in China’s growing arsenal of advanced military aviation prowess. Images and videos of the flight, captured in near real-time, depicted a unique design: a tailless, flying-wing configuration accompanied by a J-20S twin-seat chase plane.

While the J-36’s flight surprised the general public, it wasn’t surprising to PLA watchers—experts closely monitoring China’s military development. For years, observers had noticed mounting signs that a sixth-generation air superiority aircraft was on the horizon. The J-36’s maiden flight only reinforced China’s rapid progress toward air dominance.

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Although its precise role and full capabilities remain unknown, early indications suggest it will revolutionise air combat. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, the company behind China’s J-20 stealth fighter. The aircraft, identified by its serial number 36011, has sparked several debates about its design and purpose. The J-36 designation signifies its role as an air superiority fighter, though this name is provisional as the official designation is yet to be confirmed.

The flight occurred without official acknowledgement from China’s Ministry of Defence (please check the website) or state-run media, a pattern that mirrors previous PLA projects’ secrecy. Much like the debut of the J-20, the J-36’s appearance was preceded by years of speculation and semi-official leaks from Chinese aerospace engineers. A J-20S, a twin-seat variant of the J-20, reportedly accompanied the aircraft. This led some analysts to speculate about the J-36’s potential role in next-generation air combat systems, where manned and unmanned platforms work together. While many aspects of the aircraft remain unclear, the three-engine configuration was one of the most significant developments. The unusual design hints at significant advances in both thrust and stealth capabilities. Its flight and potential for future hypersonic speeds and combat radius signal China’s growing confidence in air combat technology.

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The J-36 represents a significant departure from conventional fighter aircraft designs. Early analyses of its features suggest the following characteristics: The J-36 adopts a tailless, double-delta flying wing configuration, which minimises radar visibility from all angles, significantly improving its stealth properties. This feature aligns with the growing trend of 360-degree stealth in next-generation fighters. The aircraft is powered by a unique three-engine configuration, which likely provides enhanced thrust for superior high-speed and hypersonic performance. This configuration may also enable improved manoeuvrability at high speeds.

The J-36 has a large central internal weapons bay, potentially designed to house long-range PL-17 air-to-air missiles. There are also reports of smaller side IWBs, similar in size to those of the J-20, indicating that the J-36 may be optimised for carrying a range of air-to-air munitions. The engines are considered WS-10 or WS-15 series variants, providing ample thrust for the aircraft’s expected long combat radius and high-speed performance.

Some defence technology experts speculate that the J-36 may have thrust vector control (TVC) for agility. It could weigh over 50 tonnes, between traditional fighters and larger strike aircraft. This larger airframe allows for a superior payload capacity and advanced systems like AI-powered avionics, sensors, and EW equipment. The J-36 will be crucial in China’s next-generation air superiority strategy. Defence analysts and PLA watchers suggest it’s designed for high-performance air-to-air combat, surpassing existing fifth-generation fighters like the J-20.

The J-36 is expected to have a significantly greater combat radius than current platforms, enabling extended-range operations. Advanced sensor fusion and networking allow seamless integration with other combat systems. A superior power generation system supports AI-assisted operations and electronic warfare. Optimised for BVR engagements, it focuses on signature reduction and sensor capabilities rather than traditional dogfighting. Unlike older models like the F-22 or Su-57, it won’t compete in subsonic manoeuvrability but excels in high-speed regimes, prioritising strategic operations over air show manoeuvres. The J-36, a modular fighter designed to integrate unmanned combat aerial vehicles, departs from traditional fighter concepts that function as command and control nodes.

Its debut raises questions about its sixth-generation status. While some label it as such, the definition of sixth-generation aircraft remains fluid. The US Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, also focused on hypersonic flight, AI integration, and autonomous systems, hasn’t unveiled a production model. The J-36 emphasises networked warfare and high-performance stealth, potentially setting a standard for future air superiority platforms. However, calling it “sixth-generation” prematurely requires comparisons to other platforms like the US NGAD and European combat aircraft. China’s more open approach to showcasing new platforms contrasts with the secrecy of US and Russian programs.

While still in the prototype phase, the J-36 offers a glimpse into China’s growing aerospace capabilities. The J-36’s maiden flight marks a significant development in China’s military aviation ambitions. It promises to revolutionise air superiority in China and globally with its cutting-edge design, advanced technologies, and potential for hypersonic flight.

The J-36’s size, range, and design suggest it seems a formidable player in future aerial warfare. China’s rapid advancements in hypersonic weapons, AI-assisted avionics, and unmanned systems, and the J-36’s emergence highlight its rising influence in air power.

The author is a PhD candidate at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.