Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), a major Chinese aerospace and defence company, has announced that its new J-36 fighter jet prototype, a potential sixth-generation aircraft, successfully completed its second test flight.
This follows its first flight on December 26, 2024, demonstrating significant advancements in China's military aviation technology program.
The J-36 represents a significant technological advancement. It is being developed by CAC, the same company that created the J-20 "Mighty Dragon," China's current top-tier stealth fighter.
What makes the J-36 stand out is its unusual design, It is featured as a tailless, delta-wing aircraft powered by three engines. This is very uncommon in modern fighter jets.
Experts believe this design choice improves the plane's stealth capabilities (making it harder to detect by radar) and provides the significant power needed for very high speeds and advanced onboard technology.
Reports and images, although low-resolution, confirm the second test flight. Unlike the first flight, this one did not include a "chase plane" (another aircraft flying alongside to monitor). The absence of a chase plane suggests that CAC is increasingly confident in the J-36's basic flight performance and reliability.
The capabilities expected of the J-36 are consistent with what many anticipate for sixth-generation fighter jets. These features include extremely advanced stealth, the use of artificial intelligence, the ability to connect and share information with other military assets (like drones), and potentially even the use of directed-energy weapons (like lasers).
The three-engine configuration likely generates a large amount of electricity, which could power these advanced systems. The aircraft's large body also suggests it can carry a lot of fuel and weapons, increasing its operational range and combat power.
Sixth-generation fighter jet characteristics also typically include optional manning, and greater sensor capabilities.
The development of sixth-generation fighters is a global competition. The United States is working on its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, and several European nations are collaborating on similar projects.
The J-36's rapid progress, with its first flight occurring sooner than many Western analysts predicted, highlights China's growing technological capabilities and its aim to compete with leading air forces.
While the Chinese government has released limited official information, experts believe the J-36 is designed primarily to achieve air superiority (control of the airspace in a conflict) and could also be used for strike missions.
Its tailless design, lacking the vertical stabilizers found on most fighters, is a key factor in significantly reducing its radar signature, potentially making it much harder to detect than current fifth-generation fighters like the Chinese J-20 or the American F-35.
The second test flight also underlines the structured approach CAC is taking in evaluating the aircraft's resilience under varied operational scenarios. It is assumed that this test, like the first, occurred near CAC's facilities in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, a major center for China's aviation industry.
The lack of a chase plane indicates that the J-36's flight control systems, which almost certainly use advanced "fly-by-wire" technology (where computers assist the pilot), are functioning well.
As the J-36 continues development, its appearance is causing considerable discussion about its impact on international military strategy. For China, it could represent a significant advantage in the Asia-Pacific region, where control of the air is a crucial element in ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The J-36's potential to work together with drones and other networked systems could greatly increase its effectiveness, reflecting the modern trend towards integrated military operations.
