Unique photos of the latest sixth-generation J-36 fighter have emerged in China, taken from a previously unpublished angle – from the front and on the ground. The photos, taken on the grounds of the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation factory, allow for the first time to examine in detail the design features of the aircraft, including the air intake of the third engine located behind the cockpit and the two-seat cockpit.
These shots were a significant event for military analysts, as previously the J-36 could only be seen during test flights that began in 2024.
The photos confirm that the J-36 is built using a tailless “flying wing” design, similar to that used on another Chinese sixth-generation fighter, the lighter J-50.
One of the images shows the front of the aircraft in flight, where the front landing gear is clearly visible, reminiscent of the design of the Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber.
The J-36 appears to be a hybrid of a heavy fighter and a tactical bomber created using stealth technology.
The open hatches of the weapons bays captured in the image indicate the presence of two types of such bays – a large one and a smaller one, which distinguishes them from the landing gear doors located elsewhere in the fuselage.
The photo, taken on the ground, was probably taken on the territory of the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation factory, one of the leaders of the Chinese aviation industry. The white wall in the background is probably part of the factory hangar, which confirms the version of the industrial origin of the photo.
The appearance of such images indicates significant progress by China in the development of sixth-generation aircraft, which combine stealth technology, high maneuverability and advanced weapons systems.
The J-36, according to analysts, may be designed to hit ground and air targets at a considerable distance, making it a potential competitor to American and Russian developments.
China is actively promoting sixth-generation fighter programs. According to the South China Morning Post, tests of the J-36 and J-50 began in 2024 and both aircraft are already demonstrating a high degree of readiness.
Unlike the Chinese aircraft, the American F-47 sixth-generation fighter, developed under the NGAD program, remains in the shadows: not a single confirmed photo in the air or on the ground has yet been published.
This highlights China’s technological progress in military aviation, where the country seeks to close the gap with the United States.
According to journalistic sources, the J-36 can be equipped with hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence systems, which meet the requirements for sixth-generation aircraft.
