Beijing, December 29 - On December 25, 2025, aviation observers recorded what appears to be the maiden flight of the third prototype of China's advanced J-36 fighter-bomber, developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This milestone occurred exactly one year after the program's initial public revelation and underscores the rapid advancement of China's next-generation stealth aircraft technology. The J-36, a large tailless flying-wing design with a diamond-double-delta configuration, represents a significant leap in Chinese military aviation, potentially positioning the PLAAF at the forefront of sixth-generation fighter development alongside parallel efforts like the Shenyang J-50.
The third prototype's test flight took place over Chengdu facilities, escorted by a J-10C acting as a chase plane for safety and monitoring. Notable refinements in this airframe include the absence of the nose-mounted flight-test probe seen on earlier prototypes, suggesting progression toward more mature aerodynamic and systems testing. Previous iterations had introduced changes such as diverterless supersonic intakes (DSI), revised landing gear arrangements, and two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles, enhancing maneuverability and stealth characteristics. Powered by a trijet configuration, the J-36 prioritizes all-aspect broadband stealth, supercruise capability, extended range, and substantial internal payload capacity, making it suitable for long-range strike missions in contested environments.
Analysts describe the J-36 as a versatile platform blurring traditional boundaries between fighter and bomber roles. Its substantial size, side-by-side cockpit seating, and optimized planform support deep penetration operations, potentially carrying advanced munitions like the PL-15 and PL-17 air-to-air missiles or precision-guided strike weapons. This heavy stealth fighter-bomber could serve as a command node for manned-unmanned teaming, integrating with loyal wingman drones while conducting air superiority or tactical bombing tasks. Developed concurrently with other tailless designs, the program highlights China's aggressive prototyping pace in advanced combat aircraft.
As the J-36 program advances with multiple prototypes in flight testing, it signals Beijing's commitment to achieving regional air dominance through innovative sixth-generation capabilities. The sustained iteration across three distinct airframes within a year demonstrates the maturity of China's aerospace industry, raising implications for global military balance in stealth fighter-bomber technology and next-generation air warfare.