Chengdu J-36

Last updated
Chengdu J-36
General information
National originChina
Manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
Status Flight testing
Number built1 confirmed
History
First flightUnknown, first publicly observed on 26 December 2024

The Chengdu J-36 is a speculative designation given by military analysts to a trijet tailless delta-winged aircraft under development by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

Contents

On 26 December 2024, an aircraft believed to be a J-36 was spotted allegedly conducting test flights in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Since the aircraft's serial number (36011) begins with '36,' following the People's Liberation Army Air Force convention, this model was presumably designated as J-36, but further information is limited. [1]

Development and history

In January 2019, Dr. Wang Haifeng, chief designer of the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) announced that China had begun pre-research on a sixth-generation aircraft, predicting that the program would come to fruition by 2035. [2] The plan was reiterated by Chinese state media in 2021. [3]

In 2018, Chengdu Aerospace Corporation reportedly submitted eight proposals for the sixth-generation fighter design, and four designs were tested in low-altitude wind tunnels. [4]

In October 2021, a fighter aircraft with a tailless design was spotted in Chengdu Aircraft Corporation facilities. [5] Intelligence and rumors indicated the Chinese designs would use tailless flying wing or flying arrowhead configuration that can provide greater broadband stealth characteristics compared to the previous generation of fighters, new propulsion technologies, improved sensors allowing the aircraft to operate alongside unmanned teaming aircraft or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), etc. [6]

In September 2022, United States Air Force (USAF) General Mark D. Kelly, head of the Air Combat Command (ACC) suggested China was on track with the aforementioned characteristics for its six-generation fighter program, and he believed the Chinese design uses a 'system of systems' approach like the United States, which allows for "exponential" reductions in stealth signature and improvements in processing power and sensing. [7] [8]

In February 2023, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) shared its six-generation fighter aircraft concept on social media. The featured concept included diamond-shaped wings and tailless design, [9] which correlated with earlier images released in various AVIC presentations. [4]

Apparent public appearance

On 26 December 2024, online photos and videos showed that Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) has publicly flown a prototype aircraft in Chengdu, Sichuan. [10] [11] The aircraft was spotted flying around an airport owned by CAC and features a trijet tailless flying wing design. It was followed by a Chengdu J-20S twin-seater stealth fighter as the chase plane. Some photos showed the aircraft painted with code number '36' on the forward fuselage, thus the aircraft was tentatively named J-36 by military analysts. [12] Analysts speculated the aircraft may be either a sixth-generation fighter prototype or a regional bomber prototype design previously known as the JH-XX. [12] [13] [14] [15] Observers believe that CAC chose to carry out the flight on 26 December in commemoration of Mao Zedong's birthday. [16] [17] [18] Evidence also suggested multiple demostrations have occurred before the 26th of December flight. [19]

The Chinese Ministry of Defense, People's Liberation Army, Chinese aviation industry, and Chinese state media did not confirm or report on the testing or aircraft. [12] [13] Still, analysts believed the lack of control on video footage spread was intentional to incite discussion and debates on the projects. [20] [21] [22]

Design

The prototype is a trijet tailless flying wing aircraft with a voluminous, blended, diamond-like double delta wing configuration. The fighter is large in size, with a thin and wide nose area and chine lines extending to the wing section. Behind the nose radome are the canopy, electro-optical windows, possible side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) arrays, dual-wheel nose landing gear, two under-wing caret inlets, one dorsal intake with diverterless supersonic inlet, double delta wings with five trailing edge control surfaces on each wing (including two split flap rudders at outboard wing edges), a ventral weapons bay, two sets of tandem-wheel aft landing gear, no vertical stabilizer, and trijet engine bays with segmented exhaust articulation surfaces. [12] [13] [19] [23] [24]

The prototype has an estimated length of 20–26 m (66–85 ft), a wingspan of approximately 20 m (66 ft), a wing area of more than 190 m2 (2,000 sq ft), and a maximum take-off weight of 100,000–120,000 lb (45,000–54,000 kg; 45–54 t). The aircraft's powerplants were unknown, including the identities, arrangement, and possible differences of the three engines mounted. It was estimated three modified WS-10 or WS-15 variants were mounted, while the possible installation of propulsion systems with other working regimes, such as ramjet and variable cycle engine, remain speculative. [19] [23] The overall aircraft design is speculated to emphasize all-aspect stealth, high speed, long endurance, high payload capacity, and multispectral situational awareness. [12] [13] [19] [23] [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying wing</span> Tailless fixed-wing aircraft that has no definite fuselage

A flying wing is a tailless fixed-wing aircraft that has no definite fuselage, with its crew, payload, fuel, and equipment housed inside the main wing structure. A flying wing may have various small protuberances such as pods, nacelles, blisters, booms, or vertical stabilizers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fourth-generation fighter</span> Classification of fighter aircraft c. 1970–2000

The fourth-generation fighter is a class of jet fighters in service from around 1980 to the present, and represents design concepts of the 1970s. Fourth-generation designs are heavily influenced by lessons learned from the previous generation of combat aircraft. Third-generation fighters were often designed primarily as interceptors, being built around speed and air-to-air missiles. While exceptionally fast in a straight line, many third-generation fighters severely lacked in maneuverability, as doctrine held that traditional dogfighting would be impossible at supersonic speeds. In practice, air-to-air missiles of the time, despite being responsible for the vast majority of air-to-air victories, were relatively unreliable, and combat would quickly become subsonic and close-range. This would leave third-generation fighters vulnerable and ill-equipped, renewing an interest in manoeuvrability for the fourth generation of fighters. Meanwhile, the growing costs of military aircraft in general and the demonstrated success of aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II gave rise to the popularity of multirole combat aircraft in parallel with the advances marking the so-called fourth generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stealth aircraft</span> Aircraft which use stealth technology to avoid detection

Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection using a variety of technologies that reduce reflection/emission of radar, infrared, visible light, radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and audio, collectively known as stealth technology. The F-117 Nighthawk was the first operational aircraft explicitly designed around stealth technology. Other examples of stealth aircraft include the B-2 Spirit, the B-21 Raider, the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightning II, the Chengdu J-20, and the Sukhoi Su-57.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chengdu J-10</span> Chinese multi-role fighter aircraft family

The Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon, is a medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft using a delta wing and canard design. It is produced by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF). The J-10 is mainly designed for air-to-air combat, but can also perform strike missions.

J-XXJ-X, and XXJ are names applied by Western intelligence agencies to describe programs by the People's Republic of China to develop multiple fifth-generation and sixth-generation fighter aircraft. General He Weirong, Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), stated that China had several such programs underway and that an undesignated fifth-generation fighter developed jointly by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) and Shenyang Aerospace Corporation (SAC) would be in service by 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-57</span> Russian stealth multirole fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-57 is a twin-engine stealth multirole fighter aircraft developed by Sukhoi. It is the product of the PAK FA programme, which was initiated in 1999 as a more modern and affordable alternative to the MFI. Sukhoi's internal designation for the aircraft is T-50. The Su-57 is the first aircraft in Russian military service designed with stealth technology and is intended to be the basis for a family of stealth combat aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HAL AMCA</span> Indian fifth-generation stealth fighter

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an Indian single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft being developed for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The Mark-1 variant of the aircraft will be a fifth generation fighter while the Mark-2 variant will have sixth-generation technologies. The aircraft is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) - an aircraft design agency under MoD. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) consisting of ADA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and a private company is being formed for the development and production of AMCA. In March 2024, the project received approval from India's Cabinet Committee on Security for the prototype development and mass production expected to begin by 2035.

Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, traditionally and more commonly known as Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), a subsidiary of AVIC, is a Chinese aerospace conglomerate that designs and manufactures combat aircraft and is also a manufacturer of aircraft parts. It was founded in 1958 as the National 132th Factory in Chengdu, Sichuan, to be an aircraft supplier for the Chinese military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canard (aeronautics)</span> Aircraft configuration in which a small wing is placed in front of the main wing

In aeronautics, a canard is a wing configuration in which a small forewing or foreplane is placed forward of the main wing of a fixed-wing aircraft or a weapon. The term "canard" may be used to describe the aircraft itself, the wing configuration, or the foreplane. Canard wings are also extensively used in guided missiles and smart bombs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifth-generation fighter</span> Classification of sophisticated jet fighter aircraft entering service since 2005

A fifth-generation fighter is a jet fighter aircraft classification which includes major technologies developed during the first part of the 21st century. As of 2024, these are the most advanced fighters in operation. The characteristics of a fifth-generation fighter are not universally agreed upon, and not every fifth-generation type necessarily has them all; however, they typically include stealth, low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR), agile airframes with supercruise performance, advanced avionics features, and highly integrated computer systems capable of networking with other elements within the battlespace for situational awareness and C3 (command, control and communications) capabilities.

A sixth-generation fighter is a conceptualized class of jet fighter aircraft design more advanced than the fifth-generation jet fighters that are currently in service and development. Several countries have announced the development of a national sixth-generation aircraft program, including China, the United States, and Russia. Whilst other countries have joined collaborative multinational projects such as Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom with Global Combat Air Programme, and France, Germany, and Spain with FCAS; in order to spread development and procurement costs. The first sixth-generation fighters are expected to enter service in the 2030s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shenyang J-15</span> Chinese fifth-generation carrier-based multirole fighter

The Shenyang J-15, also known as Flying Shark is a Chinese all-weather, twin-engine, carrier-based 4.5 generation multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and the 601 Institute, specifically for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) to serve on People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) aircraft carriers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chengdu J-20</span> Chinese stealth fighter aircraft

The Chengdu J-20, also known as Mighty Dragon, is a twin-engine all-weather stealth fighter developed by China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The J-20 is designed as an air superiority fighter with precision strike capability. The aircraft has three notable variants: the initial production model, the revised airframe variant with new engines and thrust-vectoring control, and the aircraft-teaming capable twin-seat variant.

Jet fighter generations classify the major technology leaps in the historical development of the jet fighter. Different authorities have identified different technology jumps as the key ones, dividing fighter development into different numbers of generations. Five generations are now widely recognised, with the development of a sixth under way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shenyang J-35</span> Fifth-generation jet fighter under development by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation

The Shenyang J-35 is a series of Chinese twin-engine, all-weather, stealth multirole combat aircraft manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), designed for air superiority and surface strike missions. The aircraft reportedly has two variants, a land-based variant designed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), and a carrier-based variant optimized for catapult-assisted takeoff (CATOBAR) for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B</span> Russian stealth UAV prototype

The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B, also referred to as Hunter-B, is a Russian heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that was being developed during the 2010s by Sukhoi and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Several prototypes underwent flight testing in 2019–2023 and, as of January 2024, it was projected that production could begin as early as the second half of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hongdu GJ-11</span> Type of aircraft

The Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed in the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army. It was designed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute (SYADI) and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG) and is part of seven proposed models by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) program called "AVIC 601-S". The GJ-11 can perform precision strike and aerial reconnaissance missions.

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) is a United States Air Force (USAF) sixth-generation air superiority initiative with a goal of fielding a "family of systems" that is to succeed the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. A crewed fighter aircraft is the centerpiece program of NGAD and has been referred to as the Penetrating Counter-Air (PCA) platform and is to be supported by uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), or loyal wingman platforms, through manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

JH-XX is a designation applied by Western intelligence agencies to describe programs by the People's Republic of China to develop a regional bomber/tactical bomber/fighter bomber. JH-XX is the second stealth bomber of China confirmed in existence by the U.S. intelligence community, and the Pentagon speculates the fighter-bomber is capable of long-range strikes and nuclear weapons delivery.

References

  1. ↑ "China unveils new sixth-generation stealth fighter jets". New Atlas. 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  2. ↑ Joe, Rick (20 September 2019). "Beyond China's J-20 Stealth Fighter". thediplomat. Trans-Asia Inc. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021.
  3. ↑ Osborn, Kris (8 April 2021). "China Claims It Will Win the Race to a New Stealth Fighter". nationalinterest.org. Center for the National Interest. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  4. 1 2 Trimble, Steve (6 February 2023). "Weekly Debrief: What Does A Concept Design Reveal About China's Next Fighter?". Aviation Week.
  5. ↑ Rogoway, Tyler (30 October 2021). "Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Spotted At Chinese Jet Manufacturer's Test Airfield". The War Zone.
  6. ↑ Joe, Rick (11 June 2024). "China's 6th Generation and Upcoming Combat Aircraft: 2024 Update". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  7. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (28 September 2022). "China Is Working On Its Own Sixth-Generation Fighter Program: Official". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  8. ↑ Arthur, Gordon (24 June 2024). "When will China have a sixth-gen fighter jet?". Defense News.
  9. ↑ Roblin, Sébastien (16 February 2023). "China's Sixth-Gen Fighter Jet Sure Looks Like the Air Force's Sixth-Gen Fighter Jet". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023.
  10. ↑ "First flight of Chinese 6th-Generation fighter today". Scramble. 26 December 2024.
  11. ↑ Doyle, Gerry (27 December 2024). "Images show novel Chinese military aircraft designs, experts say". Reuters.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Newdick, Thomas; Rogoway, Tyler (26 December 2024). "China Stuns With Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet's Sudden Appearance (Updated)". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "New Chinese Advanced Combat Aircraft Emerge In Flight". Aviation Week. 26 December 2024. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  14. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (26 December 2024). "Yes, China Just Flew Another Tailless Next-Generation Stealth Combat Aircraft". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  15. ↑ "China surpasses rivals with 'world-class' sixth-gen stealth fighter jet: experts". South China Morning Post. 2024-12-27. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  16. ↑ Waldron, Greg. "China celebrates Mao's birthday with new combat jets". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  17. ↑ Axe, David (26 December 2024). "China Revealed Two New Stealth Fighter Designs In One Momentous Day". Forbes.
  18. ↑ Rahaman Sarkar, Alisha (28 December 2024). "China unveils novel advanced military aircraft". The Independent.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Joe, Rick (30 December 2024). "J-36: Assessing China's New Generation Combat Aircraft". The Diplomat.
  20. ↑ Ling, Xin (27 December 2024). "New Chinese fighter jet seen over Chengdu tacitly confirmed by military". South China Morning Post.
  21. ↑ Cadell, Cate (27 December 2024). "China unveils new futuristic fighter jets in surprise flyby". The Washington Post.
  22. ↑ Axe, David (30 December 2024). "China's mysterious new sixth-generation stealth aircraft likely bombers, not fighters". The Telegraph.
  23. 1 2 3 Sweetman, Bill (27 December 2024). "Boxing clever? China's next-gen tailless combat aircraft analysed". Royal Aeronautical Society.
  24. 1 2 Sweetman, Bill (31 December 2024). "China's big new combat aircraft: a technical assessment". Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.