Is the J-36 China's version of NGAD?
On December 26th of 2024, footage appeared in social media of a Chinese aircraft that caught entire Aerospace community off-guard. Here is everything we know so far on the first aircraft the J-36
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Overview:
On December 26, 2024, China revealed two new prototype sixth-generation fighter jets, charging up the Aerospace community on social media. These aircraft represent China's latest advancements in aerospace technology and offer a glimpse into the future of air combat systems. In what will be a two part series for The Engineer’s Perspective, I will take the latest developments and open-source analysis found on the web for each aircraft and dedicate an issue to each of them.
Based on the updates and new reveals since then we'll take a more detailed look at the photographs and open-source analysis that has been compiled on the aircraft since the reveal in December of 2024 such as:
The Aircraft and their designations/possible names
Their Design Elements, Configuration, and Characteristics
Based on the information available, I will share in this edition of The Engineer’s Perspective why it is highly possible that:
The J-36 is not just a bomber, but potentially a low-observable missile truck
The possible Concept of Operations for the J-36
The Aircraft Designations and Names
The two aircraft that made their debuts at the end of 2024 appear to have tentative names, the J-36. The J-36 appears to be made by Chengdu.
The J-36 appears to have been so named as the images of the aircraft appears to have the designation 36011. This numerical designation has been seen with previous aircraft and indicate that this aircraft's potential designation is J-36. As the aircraft was seen flying in the Chengdu area with a fellow Chengdu aircraft as a chase plane. it has been assumed that this aircraft is from the Chengdu corporation:
Design Elements, Configuration, and Characteristics
Blended Wing Body and expected payload size:
The first noticeable detail about Chengdu's J-36 was it's design. A blended wing body. The blended wing body has been long considered the best tradeoff for interior volume while maintaining low-observability. This analogy can currently be seen with the United States' B-2 and upcoming B-21 bomber, both being long range bomber aircraft with significant (B-2) and expected-to-be significant (B-21) payloads.
Size:
The next noticeable thing about Chendu's J-36 was its immediate size. A Chengdu J-20 - considered one of the larger fighters today, was the J-36's chase plane and could be easily compared. The J-36 was significantly larger overall. Some analysts have speculated that the J-36 is similar in size to the F-111 Aardvark, a large fighter-bomber.
Engines:
Triple engine configuration - The aircraft has an unusual arrangement of three engines as opposed to two which is characteristic of most aircraft nowadays. Images of the aircraft on the tarmac prior to takeoff have been seen, indicating the presence of three engines:
Certain angles of the aircraft in the air also show the three engine nozzles:
Engine Speculation
Engine speculation has been made about the engines so far:
Two of the engines are for supercruise, while the third, middle engine is used for takeoff, and then is closed afterwards, allowing the other two engines to then supercruise for fuel savings.
The necessity of speeding up the testing of the aircraft and China's relatively nascent engine manufacturing capability resulted in the use of three engines for this aircraft. However, the three-engine setup would be temporary until the true engines for the aircraft become available, and the aircraft would then be reconfigured for only two engines.
Three engines are needed to generate the needs for directed energy weapons such as lasers or microwave weapons.
There is another, possible speculation that the 3rd, overhead inlet is a is a diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI), similar to what seen on the F-35:
Image of the F-35 showing its Diverterless Supersonic Inlet (DSI), characterized by a "bump" and a forward-swept inlet cowl to redirect boundary layer air away from the engine (Wikipedia) Although the inlet design has not been confirmed, this does seem possible from this view of the J-36 from the side:
Image of the J-36 from tis side, showing the shape of it’s overhead intake that may be a DSI style (Twitter)
Aperture:
The sides of the fuselage appeared in photos to be apertures for either Electro-Optical Targeting systems or additional Radars as is seen in this image with the apertures circled in red at the front of the fuselage:
This could indicate an increase desire for more sensors and thus situational awareness for the aircraft’s pilots. Side apertures such as these have been seen on the Su-57:
Radar:
As expected from the expanded size of the aircraft, the fuselage is expected to house a larger radar than even the J-20. This radar is also expected to be an active electronically scanned array (AESA) style radar similar to what the U.S. is utilizing with their latest fighters. The capabilities of China’s AESA radars are not quite known at this time.
Implications and Future Considerations - A Bomber AND Air Superiority Fighter?
Based on the physical dimensions (payload capacity), control surfaces of the aircraft, along with the the words from the aircraft’s designer, there is a serious implication that the J-36 may be utilized as a stealth bomber and air-superiority aircraft:
The layout and design of the control surfaces for the aircraft appear to maximize maneuverability while meeting the necessity of low-observability
The size of the weapons bay appears optimized for the largest air-to-air weapons openely-known in China’s inventory
The speculation and words from a 2024 paper of the J-36’s designer appear to indicate that the aircraft itself would be designed for air-to-air engagement.
Optimized Stealth, Maximum Maneuverability:
The lack of vertical stabilizers for the J-36 indicates China is following a path for its newest generation aircraft that was hinted at by the U.S. with its forthcoming NGAD/F/A-XX fighters - the elimination of Vertical Stabilizers to increase overall low-observability. In place of the eliminated stabilizers are split rudders, such as what is seen on the B-2:
Vertical stabilizers, seen on current aircraft such as the F-22, F-35, and in China’s Case, it’s J-20 and J-35, are present to ensure maneuverability in close quarters combat, while angled to reduce their radar return signatures. The J-36 appears to have eliminated these in its designs, seemingly showing China’s future focus on stealth over maneuverability, while simultaneously seeming to have maximized what is possible for maneuvering capability within the stealth constraint.
This is demonstrated by noting how there are several more control surfaces on the J-36 than even the forthcoming B-21:
I’ve included AI-enhanced images of the J-36, showing the three sets of control surfaces and two sets of split-rudders for each wing in more detail:
Knowing how capable the B-2 and B-21 are intended to be, it makes sense to assume that extra numbers of control surfaces and split rudders could be an attempt to maximize the maneuverability for this aircraft.
Air-to-Air Payload:
The J-36’s payload size is expected to be significant, with initial open-source analysis indicating the internal weapons bay can accommodate the PL-17 missile (currently) the largest Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile in China's inventory and is surmised to be a hypersonic missile meant to engage high-priority targets such as airborne tanker aircraft and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft:
If the J-36 has the ability to house missiles of this size within a weapons bay, it is certainly possible for the aircraft to house the PL-15 and PL-10 (equivalents to the U.S. AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder) as well.
The goals of the designer:
It has appeared on X as well that the designer of the J-36 indicated in a 2024 paper that the latest generation of aircraft would also be fighters:
Taking these three factors into consideration - a design to maximize range, payload, and low observability while being optimized for maneuverability within those constraints, tt is likely that J-36 is a next generation fighter AND a bomber, meant to act as a low-observable weapons truck optimized for engaging targets at beyond visual range, while capable of also performing strike missions.
Concept of Operations
Assuming the J-36 is designed to perform BOTH air superiority missions and conduct precision strikes, This high-level CONOPS outlines the operational framework for utilizing the J-36 in such roles.
Stakeholders:
People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) commanders
Mission planners
Pilots and aircrew
Maintenance and support personnel
Chinese aerospace industry
Purpose: The primary purpose of the J-36 is to provide a highly advanced, stealthy platform capable of engaging multiple air and ground targets from beyond visual range while maintaining superior situational awareness and survivability.
Operational Overview:
Pre-Mission Operations:
Mission Planning: Detailed flight plans are developed, considering threat environments, target locations, and mission objectives.
Aircraft Preparation: Comprehensive pre-flight checks are conducted, with particular attention to the triple-engine configuration and advanced sensor systems.
Weapons Loading: The large internal weapons bay is loaded with a mix of long-range air-to-air missiles (e.g., PL-17, PL-15) and precision-guided munitions for strike missions.
Air Superiority Operations:
Takeoff and Ingress: The J-36 utilizes its triple-engine configuration for rapid acceleration and climb to operational altitude.
Long-Range Engagement: Leveraging its advanced AESA radar and large weapons bay, the J-36 engages enemy aircraft from extreme BVR distances using PL-17 missiles.
Supercruise: The aircraft maintains supersonic speeds without afterburner, potentially using two engines for cruise while the third is idle for fuel efficiency.
Sensor Fusion: The pilot utilizes multiple sensor inputs, including side-mounted apertures, for enhanced situational awareness.
Evasion: If threatened, the J-36 employs its highly maneuverable airframe and split rudders to perform evasive maneuvers while maintaining low observability.
Strike Operations:
Stealth Ingress: The J-36 approaches target areas using its blended wing body design to minimize radar cross-section.
Precision Strike: Utilizing its advanced targeting systems, the J-36 delivers precision-guided munitions against high-value ground targets.
Self-Escorting: The aircraft's air-to-air capabilities allow it to defend itself against interceptors during strike missions.
Post-Mission Operations:
Egress: The J-36 uses its high speed and low observability to quickly exit hostile airspace.
Data Analysis: Mission data is thoroughly analyzed to assess performance and gather intelligence.
Maintenance: Post-flight inspections focus on the unique triple-engine configuration and advanced avionics systems.
Key Capabilities:
Extended range and loiter time due to efficient aerodynamics and engine configuration
Superior BVR engagement capabilities with advanced sensors and long-range missiles
High maneuverability for close-range dogfighting if required
Large internal weapons capacity for extended missions without compromising stealth
Advanced sensor fusion for unparalleled situational awareness
Summary: The J-36’s unique configuration potentially allows it to engage multiple targets at extreme ranges while maintaining stealth and the ability to defend itself in various combat scenarios. The aircraft's design enables a potential versatility to transition between air-to-air and air-to-ground roles while maximixing and maintaining low-observability.
Conclusion
The unveiling of China's J-36 prototype on December 26, 2024 marks a significant leap in aerospace technology and air combat capabilities. This sixth-generation fighter jet, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, showcases several innovative features:
A blended wing body design optimized for stealth and internal volume
Considerable size increase compared to China’s current fighters like the J-20
Unique triple-engine configuration with potential for supercruise capabilities
Advanced sensor systems, including side-mounted apertures for enhanced situational awareness
Large internal weapons bay capable of housing long-range missiles like the PL-17
A control system seemingly designed to optimize available maneuverability while maximizing low-observability.
The J-36's design suggests it may serve dual roles as both an air superiority fighter and a long-range strike platform. Its advanced stealth features, combined with potentially high maneuverability and significant payload capacity, position it as a potentially formidable multirole aircraft, leapfrogging China’s previous aircraft capabilities.
As development continues, the J-36 could potentially reshape China’s air combat doctrines and challenge existing power dynamics in aerospace technology. However, many aspects of its performance and operational capabilities remain speculative until further information becomes available.
References
Breaking News: China's Next-Gen 6th-Generation Fighter Jet Successfully Completes First Flight
China Unveils Two New Stealth Fighters in One Day—or Maybe a Stealth Bomber