Beijing, April 2025 — China appears to be accelerating its race for air dominance, as recent footage and satellite images have revealed two advanced stealth aircraft undergoing flight tests — both believed to be sixth-generation fighter prototypes. The revelations are raising eyebrows in Washington and beyond, as they come just days after Donald Trump’s re-election victory in the United States.
On December 26, a sleek, tailless aircraft was spotted soaring above Chengdu. Experts believe this is the long-speculated J-36, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. The jet’s most striking feature? A rare three-engine configuration — an unusual choice that has sparked intense debate among defense analysts. That same day, another prototype, reportedly from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, was sighted near a northern Chinese facility. Referred to by some as the J-50, it features a twin-engine layout and V-shaped wings — reminiscent of futuristic fighter concepts.
These twin revelations — timed and likely orchestrated — are more than just military milestones. They serve as a loud geopolitical message.
China’s Technological Sprint
The United States recently awarded Boeing a major contract to develop the F-47 under its ambitious Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a step toward building the next backbone of American airpower. A Navy-specific variant is expected to follow. Yet, China’s fast-paced development signals that it is rapidly closing the technology gap once thought to be decades wide.
While both the J-36 and J-50 are still in the early testing phases — flying with extended landing gear and test probes — their very existence marks a significant leap from concept images seen just a few years ago in 2022. Analysts suggest that China’s military-industrial complex is operating with an unprecedented level of urgency.
Breaking Down the Designs
The J-36’s tri-engine setup is both revolutionary and controversial. While it may offer increased thrust and payload capacity, it introduces new challenges, including added weight, complexity, and higher fuel consumption. The tailless design is clearly intended to boost stealth capabilities by reducing radar signatures. However, such a design may compromise maneuverability — a critical factor in dogfighting scenarios.
The cockpit, according to military observers, appears large enough to accommodate two pilots — a potential sign that one operator might be tasked with controlling drone swarms or AI-enabled unmanned combat aircraft. This aligns with the broader shift in aerial combat strategy seen in programs like NGAD, where collaboration between manned and unmanned systems is becoming the new norm.
Possible Strategic Objectives
Military analysts believe these next-gen aircraft may be designed for long-range missions — including hypersonic missile strikes on high-value U.S. bases in Guam, Japan, and Hawaii. The integration of AI and advanced drone technology, while not confirmed, is widely expected. If China succeeds in marrying these technologies, it could drastically extend its operational reach and combat effectiveness.
Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, pointed out that the timing of the public release may not be coincidental. “What is perhaps more interesting is that China decided to make these test flights public, and the timing of those releases,” she told the South China Morning Post. “Coming on the heels of Trump’s re-election, these public demonstrations seem an attempt to signal to Washington that China is a modern military power.”
Caution Amidst the Hype
Still, there’s a long road ahead. Experts caution that these aircraft are prototypes — not finished products. Critical systems such as next-gen engines (especially the underdeveloped WS-15), advanced onboard software, and full system integration remain hurdles. Some speculate that the three-engine setup might be a temporary workaround for the lack of a sufficiently powerful single engine.
Yoon Suk-joon, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs, was skeptical of the design direction. “Building a heavier aircraft is retrogressive,” he said. “The global trend is moving toward agile, modular systems and unmanned platforms.”
Global Race to Sixth-Gen Air Power
China is not alone in this pursuit. Britain, Japan, and Italy are collaborating on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), while France, Germany, and Spain are pushing forward with their Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project. These collaborative efforts highlight the global race to define the future of air combat.
In contrast, China’s development appears more centralized and secretive — but no less ambitious. By testing not one but two distinct prototypes, Beijing is demonstrating both technological depth and strategic intent.
The Bigger Picture
These developments should not be seen in isolation. They represent China’s broader ambition to redefine the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. As tensions simmer across the Taiwan Strait and disputes continue in the South China Sea, the rise of next-gen Chinese fighter jets could shift the calculus in any future conflict scenario.
