China's sixth-generation stealth fighter Chengdu J-36 spotted on second test flight

China's Chengdu J-36 stealth fighter, believed to be the world's first sixth-generation fighter jet to take to the air, has been spotted again on a test flight, with a video of the flight appearing on multiple subreddits and YouTube channels.

The Chengdu J-36, which has a very unusual delta-wing design and no tail, was first seen in the air on December 26, 2024. The aircraft, which is being developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, was photographed over the city of Chengdu. At almost the same time, a Shenyang J-50 aircraft from competitors from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation was also spotted. The Chengdu J-36 flew accompanied by the world's first two-seat serial stealth fighter, the Chengdu J-20S. Western analysts believe that the demonstration of prototypes of the new combat aircraft was held in honor of Mao Zedong's birthday, which falls on December 26.

On March 17, 2025, the Chengdu J-36 was spotted in the air over Chengdu for the second time. It was flying at low speed at low altitude with its landing gear extended. Observers noticed flight data collection equipment on the nose of the aircraft.

According to the video analysis, the length of the Chengdu J-36 is estimated at 20–26 meters, the wingspan is close to 20 m with a wing area of 190 m2. The maximum take-off weight is 45,000–54,000 kg. The aircraft has three engines, probably with variable modes and thrust direction, possibly modified Shenyang WS-10 or Shenyang WS-15. The shape of the wing indicates optimization for supersonic cruising mode. The Chengdu J-36 does not have a stabilizer, and the wing control surfaces are covered with some kind of flexible material.

The payload bays are approximately 7.6 m long, allowing the use of the PL-17 over-the-horizon active air-to-air missile with a range of up to 400 km. The PL-17 is designed to engage critical targets at long range, such as tanker aircraft or long-range radar surveillance aircraft.

The start of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation's development of sixth-generation fighters became known in 2019. The program should bear fruit in the form of serial models in 2035.

The United States also has its own sixth-generation fighter development programs – the F/A-XX program and Next Generation Air Dominance; consortia of European countries – the Global Combat Air Programme (Italy, Japan, Great Britain) and the Future Combat Air System (France, Germany, Spain) and Russia – the MiG-41 (PAK DP program). But the PRC, with the Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50 projects, reached the stage of flying prototypes first.