In a striking development underscoring the intensifying technological rivalry between the world’s two foremost military powers, China’s sixth-generation stealth fighter—reportedly designated the J-36—has been observed conducting a test flight just days after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled the F-47, America’s next-generation air dominance platform.
Videos and high-resolution images widely shared on China’s state-linked social media platform Weibo depict the J-36 skimming over the test airstrip of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) in Sichuan province. The Chengdu-based aerospace firm—operating under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)—has been the key driver of Beijing’s most advanced fighter development programs, previously delivering the now-operational fifth-generation J-20 Mighty Dragon.
The sighting of the J-36, though not officially confirmed by Beijing, has sparked speculation within global defense circles that China is rapidly advancing its sixth-generation capabilities to achieve technological parity—or even superiority—over the United States in air dominance. Defense analysts suggest the test flight indicates the aircraft is in its early-stage flight testing phase, marking a critical milestone in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)’s strategic aerospace ambitions for the early 2030s.
Photographic evidence reveals a sleek, delta-winged airframe with design features optimized for radar evasion, high maneuverability, and sustained supersonic speeds. One image captures the aircraft executing a steep-angle climb—a maneuver indicative of high thrust-to-weight ratio and advanced control surface authority—while another shows it cruising with landing gear extended, suggesting post-takeoff evaluations.
Leaked intelligence suggests the J-36’s maiden flight occurred on December 26, 2024, a moment now seen as pivotal in China’s strategic airpower evolution. Classified as a heavy multi-role fighter, the J-36 is expected to undertake a range of missions, including deep strikes, maritime interdiction, air superiority, and loyal wingman operations, positioning it as the backbone of China’s future force projection.
Technical projections estimate the J-36 can achieve speeds approaching 2,900 km/h at high altitudes of around 11,500 meters, with sustained supercruise capability of 2,100 to 2,200 km/h—an elite aerodynamic feat. Its operational ceiling is projected between 20,000 and 21,000 meters, giving it an advantage in vertical engagement and high-altitude standoff scenarios.
Equipped with an estimated combat payload of 10 to 13 tonnes, the J-36 is likely to carry hypersonic missiles, advanced anti-ship munitions, precision-guided bombs, and electronic warfare pods. However, what truly sets the J-36 apart is its integration of cutting-edge avionics and artificial intelligence (AI).
Defense sources indicate the J-36 will incorporate AI-driven sensor fusion, predictive threat modeling, and automated battle management, allowing it to operate alongside unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) strategy mirrors evolving global doctrines and is set to be a decisive factor in multi-domain operations.
With these next-generation capabilities, the J-36 emerges as not only China’s response to the U.S. F-47 but also a competitor to Western sixth-generation programs such as the U.S. Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, the UK-Japan-Italy-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), and the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
The timing of the J-36’s emergence coincides with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that Boeing has secured a $20 billion contract to develop the F-47, America’s next-generation air superiority fighter.
According to Trump, each F-47 unit will cost over $300 million, making it one of the most expensive combat aircraft in history. Speaking at the launch event, Trump disclosed that an experimental version of the F-47 had been flying under classified conditions for nearly five years.
“This aircraft has already undergone extensive classified flight testing. We are confident its capabilities surpass those of any aircraft in the world,” Trump stated.
He further emphasized the F-47’s revolutionary interoperability with autonomous systems, highlighting its ability to fly with a swarm of drones, a capability unmatched by any current aircraft.
“This fighter will not fly alone. It will operate with as many drones as needed. It’s a revolutionary technology—flying with a vast swarm of drones, something no other aircraft today can match,” he added.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed Trump’s sentiments, hailing the F-47 as a groundbreaking shift in aerial warfare:
“It will fly faster, maneuver more aggressively, and defeat any adversary who dares challenge us. Air superiority is not assumed—it is earned through meticulous investment, continuous innovation, and the unmatched ingenuity of the American people.”
The F-47 is expected to replace the F-22 Raptor, Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter, which currently serves as the cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force’s aerial combat fleet. Similarly, the J-36 is anticipated to either complement or succeed the J-20, advancing China’s aerial dominance strategy across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
With both Washington and Beijing racing to define the future of airpower, the emergence of these cutting-edge fighters signals a dramatic shift in aerial combat. The era of sixth-generation air dominance is no longer speculative—it is taking flight. As the skies above future battlefields become contested arenas of unmanned swarms, hypersonic weaponry, and AI-driven tactics, the outcome will be determined not just by engineering prowess, but by the strategic vision and geopolitical will of each nation.
