April 21, 2025 | 02:24 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Fighter jets from China have caused a buzz online. In the circulating images, the aircraft is seen without a tail and is equipped with three engines, dubbed as J-36 by Western analysts.
It is unclear when the image, taken from a video, was captured, but it surfaced on Chinese social media on Monday, April 21, 2025.
The aircraft was seen flying over a road near the runway of the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, a factory in the Sichuan province believed to be the production site of the new jet.
As reported by CNN, the J-36 images first appeared on Chinese social media at the end of last year. Its presence quickly drew attention from aircraft enthusiasts and military analysts. More images emerged online last month.
The jet is speculated to be a sixth-generation aircraft, combining stealth technology, avionics, as well as the latest in engine and airframe engineering. Military aviation expert David Cenciotti, a former Italian Air Force officer, mentioned on his website, The Aviationist, that the six-second video provides a more detailed glimpse into the J-36's design.
"The trijet engine arrangement, with two engine intakes under the wings and a dorsally-mounted intake behind the cockpit, is a departure from conventional twin-engine setups seen in many contemporary fighters. This configuration may offer advantages in terms of thrust and redundancy,” Cenciotti stated in his post on The Aviationist.
He mentioned that the aircraft's internal weapon bay indicates space for carrying long-range attack missiles. The J-36 could potentially enable China to match, or perhaps even surpass, the United States in the race to possess sixth-generation fighter jets.
Chinese fighter jets have sparked online buzz after images of a mysterious aircraft, dubbed the J-36 by Western analysts, surfaced showing a tailless, three-engine design in flight near the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group facility in Sichuan province.
While the footage’s exact date remains unknown, CNN reported that the images first appeared late last year and drew significant attention from aviation enthusiasts and experts. More visuals emerged in March.
Speculated to be a sixth-generation fighter, the J-36 reportedly combines advanced stealth, avionics, and cutting-edge engine design. Military aviation expert David Cenciotti noted on The Aviationist that “the trijet engine arrangement, with two engine intakes under the wings and a dorsally-mounted intake behind the cockpit, is a departure from conventional twin-engine setups seen in many contemporary fighters. This configuration may offer advantages in terms of thrust and redundancy.”
He also highlighted the aircraft’s internal weapon bay, suggesting it could carry long-range missiles, potentially allowing China to rival or outpace the U.S. in sixth-generation jet development.
Though China already fields two fifth-generation jets, the J-20 and J-35, both lack the combat-tested credibility of America’s F-22 and F-35.
According to Kelly Grieco, senior researcher at the Stimson Center, “What is perhaps more interesting is that China decided to make these test flights public, and the timing of those releases," adding, "Coming on the heels of [Donald] Trump's re-election win, these public demonstrations seem an attempt to signal to Washington that China is a modern military power.”
Experts caution that China's sixth-generation fighter jet is still in the conceptual and testing phase. Engine performance, software development, and overall system integration remain challenges. Kelly Grieco noted that the use of three engines may compensate for the lack of a powerful single engine, such as the WS-15, which is still in development.
Yoon Suk-joon from the Korea Institute for Military Affairs called the development of heavier fighter jets a setback, as the global trend is towards smaller and more agile fighter jets and drones.
Editor's Choice: Two French Fighter Jets Crash Mid-Air During Training, Resembling Rafale Incident
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Chinese Boy Hospitalized After Swallowing 100-Gram Gold Bar
1 jam lalu
An 11-year-old boy in eastern China caused a stir by swallowing a 100-gram gold bar, which got stuck in his large intestine.
China Overtakes US in Thorium-Based Nuclear Development
3 jam lalu
The Chinese team is studying and developing a thorium-based nuclear reactor originally owned by the United States.
US Cracks Down on Nvidia AI Chip Exports to China
1 hari lalu
The U.S. is tightening export controls on Nvidia AI chips to China and requires licenses for similar transactions in the future.
Indonesia Set to Acquire F-15EX Fighter Jets: Here's What You Need to Know
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense stated that purchasing 24 F-15EX fighter jets from the U.S. is ongoing.
Exploring the Largest Air Force Bases Across Asia
1 hari lalu
Exploring the significance of air force military bases in the Asian region.
Power Struggle: Overseas Military Bases of U.S., China, and Russia in Asian Region
2 hari lalu
The United States has the widest network of military bases in the Asian region as part of its "forward deployment" strategy.
China's Rare Earth Export Halt to U.S. Intensifies Trade War
2 hari lalu
The escalating trade war between the United States and China took a critical turn as Beijing restricted the export of rare earth minerals.
Immigration Arrests Chinese Nationals for Working Illegally in Tangerang
3 hari lalu
Two Chinese nationals were suspected of violating immigration regulations.
Fire, Explosion Erupt on United Airlines Aircraft After Rabbit is Sucked into Engine
3 hari lalu
A video showed sparks of fire coming from the United Airlines engine as the aircraft took off.
Trump's Press Secretary Faces Backlash Over Chinese-Made Dress Amid Tariff Dispute
4 hari lalu
The trade war tariffs have extended to social media, resulting in the Trump's spokesperson being heavily mocked for wearing a Chinese-made lace dress.
