New video of Chinas tailless, triple-engine J-36 fighter jet has military aviation community buzzing
CNNMAR 27
Footage Emerges of China's New Stealth Fighter
Above: Footage of what is suspected to be China's sixth-generation fighter, dubbed the J-36. Image copyright: via X
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
The smooth progress of the J-36 and J-50 demonstrates China’s remarkable technological advancement and the significant breakthroughs in stealth technology that could redefine aerial warfare. The fact that aircraft are already undergoing flight trials suggests that China is steaming ahead to develop the first sixth-generation fighter while the U.S. is stuck in the engineering and manufacturing development phase.
Anti-China narrative
China's new fighter jets may be more show than substance. The People's Liberation Army Air Force, like its current fleet of fifth-generation aircraft, lacks combat-tested experience, limiting the practical insights that can be applied to its sixth-generation prototypes. In contrast, U.S. fighters are built on battle-proven designs and integrate cutting-edge technology. With the Next Generation Air Dominance program, the U.S. is poised to remain at the forefront of military aviation innovation.