Key points and summary: China’s new stealth aircraft, potentially called the JH-XX or J-36, has sparked speculation about its hybrid fighter-bomber design.
-Blending stealth capabilities, internal arsenals, and fighter-like agility, this sixth-generation aircraft could combine speed, low radar signal, and tactical bombing capabilities. Three engine configurations are possible, promising high speeds but raising concerns about managing thermal properties.
J-36 made in China. Image credit: X Screenshot.
– Its unique design suggests potential tactical advantages, allowing it to attack multiple targets while evading air defense.
-If equipped with advanced sensors and mission systems like the US B-21 and F-35, this hybrid could represent a significant new threat in modern air warfare.
China’s mysterious 6th generation fighter-bomber: a new hybrid threat?
As a mysterious stealth fighter-bomber hybrid flashes across social media, many are likely wondering about the intentions, operational concept, and technological maturity of what could be an emerging Chinese sixth-generation aircraft. You must have wondered.
Probably more questions than answers considering there only seem to be images available. Nevertheless, this picture introduces some interesting variables to consider within what can be read about the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Most descriptions of the aircraft suggest that it is likely a stealthy sixth-generation fighter-bomber designated by Western intelligence as the JH-XX. Other published essays describe the aircraft as a J-36.
Three engines?
Some photos of the underside of the aircraft show what appear to be three engines intended to enable high speeds.
However, such three engines can pose problems in thermal signature management and are more likely to transmit a “thermal” signature to enemy sensors.
Analyzing the available images, the photo appears to be consistent with published preliminary analysis, as the aircraft appears to the observer to be a “tactical bomber.” It features a mixed stealth horizontal wing and fuselage configuration, designed to operate with low radar signals.
However, the shape of the aircraft is also consistent with fighter jet engineering. Therefore, this aircraft exists as a “hybrid” of sorts, allowing for potential PLAAF to synergize or integrate missions or enable a faster, more maneuverable, low-altitude aircraft capable of tactical bombing missions. (PLA AF) initiatives.
China’s new stealth aircraft. Image credit: X Screenshot.
Available photos of the aircraft provide a look from underneath the aircraft and appear to have an internal arsenal consistent with its stealth design. However, the aircraft is also typically built with a sharp front end intended to maximize speed.
The fuselage configuration also reveals sharper, fighter-like engine intakes and sharper jet wings shaped more like a sixth-generation fighter.
J-36: Tactical bomber?
Considering all this, the question arises whether there are strategic and tactical advantages in building a hybrid of fighter-bombers, or what should be called “tactical bombers”. Unlike high-altitude bombers, fully horizontal bombers like China’s H-20 have the potential to be faster, lower-altitude bombers, allowing them to fly close to target areas while maintaining impactful stealth. may be able to carry many weapons.
In contrast to fighters, tactical bombers can carry and operate more weapons, giving them the potential to attack more targets. Also, as a tactical fighter, the new hybrid could be fast and maneuverable enough to evade or at least challenge enemy air defenses. In contrast, a pure stealth fighter can drop some JDAMs and large laser-guided GBUs, but its internal arsenal is much smaller than this tactical bomber, and when loaded in beast mode Stealth effectiveness may be compromised.
The most important element in this case is that it appears that nothing like this has been seen before, which may further intensify speculation about its potential threat.
Ultimately, the real differences are likely to be related to performance parameters that are less visible to observers, such as mission systems, sensing, computing, fire control, and weapons delivery.
If this new tactical bomber operates as a “sensor node” or F-35, something like the B-21 with the ability to provide command and control in the skies and the ability to maneuver and attack air defenses. , the new tactical bomber is certainly an aircraft that could pose an unprecedented threat.
About the author: Chris Osborne
Chris Osborn is military technology editor at 19FortyFive and president of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborne previously worked at the Department of Defense as a senior specialist in acquisition, logistics and technology in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army. Osborne has also worked as an anchor and on-air military expert on national television networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, the Military Channel, and the History Channel. He also holds a master’s degree in comparative literature from Columbia University.
