China Releases First-Ever Footage of J-36 Sixth-Generation Stealth Fighter

China has officially unveiled images of its much-awaited sixth-generation stealth fighter, the J-36, a major milestone in the country’s military aviation advancements. The visuals, aired on Sunday by China Central Television (CCTV), which is state-owned, feature the aircraft undergoing a test flight over Chengdu in Sichuan province.

This is the first time that Chinese Communist Party-controlled media has spoken about the J-36, after it was first seen undergoing testing in December 2024. Analysts think that the timing of the unveiling corresponds to recent US advances in next-generation fighter technology, further ratcheting up the global battle for air superiority.

J-36 Makes Public Debut

The J-36, or China’s newest and most advanced stealth aircraft in local accounts, was observed taking to the skies individually during its test flight—the keen observation analysts explain points to repeated testing of its landing and aerodynamics.

China’s timing for releasing the video coincided with a small anniversary for the nation’s air force—the 27th anniversary of the first flight of the J-10 fighter. The release also came on the heels of the US declaration that Boeing would be tasked with creating its own sixth-generation fighter under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Donald Trump, in unveiling the American project, asserted that “nothing in the world comes even close to it” and predicted that the new F-47 fighter would be “virtually unseeable” on radar.

A New Chapter in the US-China Air Race

Military experts opine that the announcement of the J-36 marks China’s effort to stake its claim in the current technology race with the US. If the plane is ready before the American NGAD program, it would be the first time since World War II that China has beaten the US in the development of a new generation of fighter aircraft.

The J-36 was first sighted publicly on December 26, 2024, as it made what seemed to be its first flight. It was accompanied by China’s twin-seat fifth-generation stealth fighter, the J-20S, which served as a chase plane.

The J-36, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), has a tailless, flying-wing configuration that maximizes stealth properties by reducing radar detectability.

Manufactured for Stealth and Distant Combat

Analysts say that the J-36 is not designed for conventional dogfighting but as a multi-role fighter merged into an overall combat system. The size of the aircraft, projected to be anywhere from 66 to 85 feet in length and 65 feet in wingspan, implies a combination between a fighter and a bomber, with the ability to carry heavy ordnance in the form of long-range missiles and precision-guided bombs.

Bill Sweetman, a defence analyst, reported in The Strategist that the J-36’s main function would be to carry out long-range missile attacks on air, ground, and sea targets.

“It is the largest combat plane designed and developed in China, and the second-largest to ever fly anywhere in 35 years,” he said.

Electronic Warfare Role

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), emphasized that the J-36 could be crucial in contested airspaces where electronic warfare, such as jamming or hacking, could disrupt drone operations.

“The reliance on crewed aircraft like the J-36 highlights their enduring value in contested environments where electronic warfare could disrupt uncrewed systems,” Bronk told EurAsian Times.

He further added that China needs long-endurance aircraft for operations in the vast Indo-Pacific region, either for defense or offense.

Unusual Three-Engine Design

The J-36 is expected to have three engines, an unusual selection for tactical fighters. This would be sufficient thrust for high speeds and heavy payloads, according to defense experts at The War Zone.

Meanwhile, the US military has provided sparse information on the NGAD fighter, though Trump had said initial versions had been tested for five years. Concept renderings from Lockheed Martin and Boeing show a pointed, tail-less plane with a pointed nose.

A Growing Military Rivalry
The first public displays of China’s J-36 and the US’s F-47 announcements show the heightened militarization of future air combat. As each country continues to pursue their respective programs, the balance of power in the world’s skies will change with each side competing for dominance of technology.