(VIDEO) China’s J-36 Sixth-Generation Fighter Conducts Second Flight as Development Accelerates

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Newly surfaced videos and satellite imagery from Chinese social media platforms reveal the second test flight of China’s highly classified J-36 sixth-generation fighter prototype, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

The latest flight, conducted without the accompaniment of any existing Chinese fighter aircraft, underscores China’s increasing confidence in its next-generation air superiority platform.

The J-36 first took to the skies on December 26, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in China’s pursuit of sixth-generation fighter dominance.

This second test flight, performed under undisclosed conditions, signals the project’s transition into more advanced phases of flight evaluation.

China is currently conducting comprehensive flight trials of the J-36, categorized as a heavy multirole combat aircraft.

These trials reportedly focus on assessing the aircraft’s Electronic Data Control System (EDCS) and its overall flight performance across multiple operational profiles, ranging from high-speed interception to sustained stealth cruise.

Additionally, the fighter’s advanced weapons control systems are undergoing rigorous validation, particularly its AESA radar with side-looking modules, a feature aimed at enhancing situational awareness and target tracking across wider engagement zones.

The fuselage design is also being scrutinized, likely to ensure optimized stealth characteristics and superior aerodynamics.

The J-36 distinguishes itself from its Western counterparts through its tailless airframe and double-delta wing design, a configuration engineered to maximize stealth, agility, and fuel efficiency.

More notably, it is equipped with three turbofan engines, diverging from the twin-engine configurations adopted by the United States’ Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program and Europe’s Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Military analysts speculate that the inclusion of a third engine could provide greater thrust-to-weight ratio, extended range, and enhanced redundancy, allowing the J-36 to excel in both offensive and defensive roles in contested airspace.

According to leaked technical assessments, the J-36 is designed to achieve a maximum speed of approximately 2,900 km/h (Mach 2.4) at an altitude of 11,500 meters.

Its supercruise capability—the ability to sustain supersonic speeds without afterburners—is estimated to range between 2,100 to 2,200 km/h (Mach 1.8 to 1.9).

The fighter reportedly possesses an operational ceiling of 20,000 to 21,000 meters, enabling it to engage enemy aircraft from high altitudes while evading ground-based threats.

In terms of armament, the J-36 is capable of carrying between 10 to 13 tons of weaponry, including beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), hypersonic munitions, and precision-guided ground attack weapons.

China’s sixth-generation fighter aligns with emerging next-generation combat trends, integrating AI-assisted avionics, advanced sensor fusion, and swarm drone capabilities.

These features suggest that the J-36 may serve as the nerve center of a networked battlefield, operating alongside autonomous combat drones (loyal wingmen) in highly coordinated missions.

This strategic emphasis on human-machine teaming and electronic warfare superiority reflects a broader shift in modern air combat philosophy—one that seeks to leverage AI for adaptive decision-making, electronic deception, and multi-domain operations.

Despite mounting evidence of its existence, the Chinese government has yet to officially acknowledge the J-36 program.

However, recurring leaks—ranging from flight footage to satellite-captured images of production facilities—suggest that China’s sixth-generation fighter is progressing at an accelerated pace.

With the global fighter jet competition heating up, the J-36 could serve as a direct challenger to Western air dominance projects, potentially reshaping the balance of aerial power in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

As China continues to push the boundaries of aerospace technology, the world watches closely to see how the J-36 will redefine the future of air combat.

 — DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA