Second Prototype of Chinese J-36 Fighter Jet Takes to the Skies

The second prototype of the sixth-generation J-36 heavy aircraft with significant design improvements has appeared in China.

This was reported by The War Zone.

The new images, allegedly taken near the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation’s main plant, show that the J-36 program is actively developing – the second prototype is significantly different from the first, which made its first public test flights on December 26, 2024.

The first aircraft had nozzles recessed into the top of the fuselage, similar to the solution used in the Northrop YF-23. This scheme helps to reduce visibility and is suitable for a large three-engine aircraft.

The new prototype features three angled exhaust nozzles, similar to the two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles of the F-22.

This may mean that the aircraft has been fitted with a vector control system that allows for increased maneuverability and stability.

Tailless designs such as the J-36 usually have high instability, so this system helps to compensate for the shortcomings and improve control at high speeds and altitudes.

It is possible that only the lower vector control ‘flap’ is used, rather than the full two-dimensional system. This provides additional control without significantly interfering with the tail section design.

The air intakes have also undergone changes: while the first prototype resembled the shape of the F-22, they now have lower edges curved forward, which is a typical feature of low-observability aircraft.

The landing gear was also redesigned. Instead of the tandem two-wheeled version, a two-wheeled rack with a parallel wheel arrangement was installed. Although this requires a deeper compartment for the chassis, this arrangement takes up less space and simplifies the door design.

All these changes indicate that the J-36 program is in an active experimental stage.

Engineers are consistently testing various design solutions in an effort to achieve the optimal combination of characteristics.