09.04.2025 09:11
The new video of China's three-engine, tailless fighter jet has caused a significant stir in the global aviation community. With this new aircraft, named J-36, China could reach the same level as the United States in the race to produce sixth-generation fighter jets, or even surpass it.
New images have emerged of one of China's J-36 three-engine, tailless futuristic fighter jets. It is unclear when the images were taken, but the aircraft appears to be flying over a highway near the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group factory in Sichuan province.
FIRST REVEALED LAST YEAR
Images of the J-36 first surfaced on Chinese social media late last year and quickly caught the attention of aviation enthusiasts and military analysts. The jet is believed to be a sixth-generation aircraft that incorporates the latest stealth technology, power unit, and fuselage engineering.
With the J-36, China may be able to reach the same level as the U.S. in the race to produce sixth-generation fighter jets, and perhaps even surpass it. The U.S. military's fifth-generation jets—the twin-engine F-22 and the single-engine F-35—are currently considered the best in the world. However, China also has two fifth-generation models, the J-20 and J-35. Yet, none of these Chinese jets have the proven combat experience and effectiveness of the two U.S. fighter aircraft.
TRUMP SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH BOEING
U.S. President Donald Trump announced last month that a contract had been signed with Boeing for the sixth-generation fighter jet known as the F-47 for the U.S. Air Force. Trump stated that the prototype of the aircraft has been flying for five years. While China's J-36 has made headlines in military aviation this week, it seems that this is not the only sixth-generation jet being developed by Beijing. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has yet to publicly acknowledge the existence of the J-36 or J-50.
It can take years for a fighter jet to go from the concept stage to public introduction, and even deployment. China's J-35 was first introduced to the public last November at the Zhuhai Airshow, but analysts believe the development of the aircraft took more than 10 years.