In what is being reported as a surprise development, China has unveiled a new generation of manned stealth fighters that could redefine air combat dynamics and challenge American air dominance in Asia.
The first new aircraft, designated the J-36 but not officially confirmed, will lack a traditional tail and feature a modified delta wing design, Warzone reported.
The fighter’s exact identity and specifications remain unknown, but The Warzone report said it was likely manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). This appears to be the highest number ever confirmed for the Jianjiji fighter series, preceded by the J-35.
The aircraft’s design emphasizes stealth and long-range capabilities, in line with China’s desire for advanced air power. The tailless configuration is intended to reduce radar signature and improve aerodynamic efficiency, although it may affect maneuverability, the Warzone report said.
The aircraft’s three engines suggest a focus on sustained high-speed flight and high-altitude operations. China’s Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on the new aircraft.
Shortly after unveiling its next-generation tactical jet, The War Zone reported that China unveiled a second smaller design attributed to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC).
The aircraft, designated the J-50, features stealth technology such as a tailless wing design that enhances low observability and reduces radar signals, according to Warzone. The report notes that the J-50 has a twin-engine configuration, unlike the three-engine J-36.
China’s new jet is being touted as a “sixth-generation fighter,” a loosely defined term that could easily be used for propaganda purposes to show off military capabilities.
In an October 2009 Air and Space Forces Magazine article, John Tirpak stated that the 6th generation fighter is an advanced fighter concept that emphasizes extreme stealth, adaptability, and technology integration. .
According to Tirpak, such aircraft will include features such as morphing airframes, directed energy weapons, and “smart skins” embedded with sensors for unparalleled situational awareness. That’s what it means.
He said it will be designed for both manned and optionally unmanned operations, integrate advanced networking capabilities and enable seamless collaboration with other platforms.
Tirpak said these aircraft will be built for high efficiency throughout the flight regime and may feature variable cycle engines and directed energy protection.
He said that with cyber warfare capabilities and reduced lifecycle costs, sixth-generation fighters aim to maintain air superiority while meeting future operational challenges.
China’s new generation of stealth fighters may have some characteristics of sixth-generation fighters, but not enough is known about their capabilities to justify that designation.
Nevertheless, China’s ideas about sixth-generation fighters may differ significantly from Western and other definitions, reflecting its unique requirements.
Regarding the potential capabilities of these aircraft, Bill Sweetman said in a Strategist article last month that the J-36 represents a major advance in aviation technology. Sweetman said the J-36 is the largest fighter jet developed in China and the second largest fighter jet in the world in the past 35 years.
Sweetman said the J-36’s double-delta wing design enhances its supersonic performance and all-round stealth capabilities. In terms of dimensions, he said the aircraft has a length of about 23 meters and a wingspan of 19 meters, with an effective wing area of about 200 square meters.
He noted that the J-36’s main weapons bay is approximately 7.6 meters long, with additional side bays for small arms, indicating a significant payload capacity.
He also noted that the aircraft’s three-engine configuration (two engines fed by a caret-style intake and a third engine fed by a non-diverter supersonic intake) does not rely on afterburners. It also suggests that the aircraft is focused on achieving supercruise capabilities.
Sweetman said the J-36’s design focuses on stealth, with no vertical tail surfaces and a flexible skin covering the hinge line.
Defense Express said last month that the J-50 twin-engine aircraft has an overall length of about 22 meters and an estimated wing area of 145 square meters.
According to the report, the J-50 could have a maximum takeoff weight of 40 tons, a top speed of Mach 2, and a combat radius of 2,200 kilometers.
The report states that the J-50 design includes several weapons compartments, the largest of which can accommodate four PL-17 air-to-air missiles with a range of 300 kilometers, and a YJ-12 air-to-air missile. It is pointed out that one unit can be installed. A naval missile that can fly at three times the speed of sound and has a range of 400 kilometers.
In contrast to China’s advances in next-generation air power, competing U.S. efforts appear to be in disarray.
In September 2024, Asia Times reported that the US Air Force is reconsidering its next-generation air superiority fighter program, citing budget constraints, technological advancements, and evolving threats from armed drones.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced a moratorium on the NGAD program in July 2024, and Acquisition Director Andrew Hunter and Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife signaled a reassessment of requirements.
The study will examine whether air superiority can be achieved by integrating existing aircraft such as the F-35, F-15EX, and F-22 with new technologies such as Cooperative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Advances in autonomy and other technologies since the first NGAD analysis prompted this reconsideration.
A key factor is the high costs associated with the NGAD program, estimated at approximately $250 million per aircraft, and the need for a more cost-effective approach.
The U.S. Air Force is also facing delays in its F-35 program and high costs for its B-21 Raider and Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) programs.
China’s ongoing air force modernization signals a pivotal shift in military strategy with significant implications for regional and global security.
The U.S. Department of Defense’s 2024 China Military Power Report states that the introduction of advanced fighter designs, including stealth-capable aircraft like the J-20 and continued development of sixth-generation systems, will help the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. (PLAAF)’s ambitions. Equals or exceeds U.S. and allied air capabilities.
The report notes that these developments reflect an integrated approach to air superiority that focuses on network-centric operations, electronic warfare capabilities, and enhanced missile platforms.
Additionally, by relocating naval aviation units and integrating air defense systems into the People’s Air Force, China aims to optimize command and control efficiency and strengthen its ability to project power within and beyond the First Island Chain. It also states:
The People’s Air Force’s emphasis on indigenization and cutting-edge technology is consistent with China’s broader military goal of “intelligent” warfare, which incorporates AI and quantum computing, according to the report. These advances challenge U.S. air superiority and increase risks in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
The report notes that once these systems come online, they could change the strategic calculations of neighboring countries and complicate defense planning for the United States and its allies, especially in disputed Indo-Pacific airspace. .
