Flight testing of China’s two new next-generation fighter aircraft designs is continuing at a rapid pace, offering fresh insights into both projects. The latest imagery of the larger of the two designs, commonly and unofficially referred to as the J-36, provides the clearest view yet of the exhausts for its three engines and a new perspective on its possible two-seat cockpit configuration. Additional views of the second type, known as the J-XDS or J-50, reveal an intriguing bay arrangement on the side of the fuselage just behind the air intake and highlight other distinctive features, such as its swiveling wingtip control surfaces. These developments underscore the ongoing evolution of Fighter Aircraft Of China.
While there are no definitive indications that the recent pictures and videos of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 have been fabricated, this possibility, though small, cannot be entirely ruled out. It is known that versions of some aircraft images circulating online have been deliberately enhanced using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in an attempt to extract more details. Furthermore, many modern phone cameras now automatically ‘smooth’ images by default, potentially altering their appearance.
The newest views of the J-36, seen in recent social media posts featuring a video and associated still images, are reported to have been captured in Chengdu. The Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), which has its primary facility located there, is understood to be responsible for this aircraft’s development.
Finally got my hands on this video! Crystal-clear footage of Chengdu’s 6th-generation fighter jet soaring over Chengdu Airport. Absolutely amazing! 🤩 #Chengdu6thGenFighter #MilitaryTech pic.twitter.com/Mmuz8kQA9h
— GaoFrank🇨🇳🇺🇸🇩🇪🇨🇦 (@gaofrank75) April 23, 2025
Wow! I hope this latest image of the J-36 is legit but usually @琴石2022 on Weibo is quite credible! 😮 pic.twitter.com/zkPLBZaku4
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 23, 2025
J-36: Exhaust Configuration and Cockpit Details
As mentioned, the new view from the rear provides the clearest look yet at the engine exhausts for the J-36’s distinct trio of engines, a highly unusual feature. The imagery shows ‘petals’ extending out over the top of the exhaust trenches, which are located inward of the aircraft’s trailing edge. This configuration strongly resembles the exhaust system found on Northrop’s YF-23 demonstrator and highlights a clear focus on low-observable design principles.
Rear view of the Chinese J-36 next-generation fighter aircraft showing three engine exhausts with covering petals.
Top-down view of the Northrop YF-23 advanced tactical fighter prototype, highlighting its exhaust trenches and petals.
This arrangement is a deliberate choice for managing both radar and infrared signatures. Recessing the engine exhaust ahead of the upper trailing edge is a classic low-observable design element pioneered by aircraft like Northrop’s Tacit Blue, the B-2 Spirit bomber, and the YF-23. The design serves to spread out the ejected exhaust and allows for potential active cooling by the upper deck area. Crucially, this significantly limits direct line-of-sight to the hot engine components from most viewing angles, substantially reducing infrared signature and radar cross-section.
The J-36 video also offers a new angle into the aircraft’s cockpit. Since the aircraft first appeared publicly, there has been speculation about whether it might feature a two-seat cockpit with side-by-side seating. The recent imagery is still not conclusive on this point, but the possibility that two distinct heads-up displays (HUDs) may be visible has been raised by Andreas Rupprecht, a respected long-time observer of Chinese military aviation.
No, it clearly looks like two HUDs pic.twitter.com/SCvVvfc2DS
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 23, 2025
J-XDS/J-50: Fuselage Bay and Swiveling Wingtips
In parallel with the J-36 developments, additional pictures and videos of the J-XDS/J-50 prototype from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) have also been circulating online recently.
And the same one in cut-out form …
(Images via @Captain小潇 on Weibo by OPPOFind 8) pic.twitter.com/15axXJCbc8
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 23, 2025
Original image pic.twitter.com/bPi7XBpa3j
— John Jones (@nibelogn1996) April 17, 2025
Another set of images showing SAC‘s J-XDS prototype with its landing gear down and from the side … unfortunately still very small & blurry!
(Images via @琴石2022 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/L1FeFV6b6s
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 23, 2025
A test flight of 🇨🇳Shenyang’s sixth-generation aircraft took place today. It is clearly visible that the aircraft’s swiveling wingtips are rotating. https://t.co/ROHRjHAo1R pic.twitter.com/PFKFSUffPs
— 笑脸男人 (@lfx160219) April 23, 2025
Perhaps most notably, a bay of some description with a pronounced bulge at the front is now clearly visible on at least the right side of the J-XDS/J-50’s fuselage, positioned behind the air intake and directly ahead of the main landing gear bay on that side.
Close-up view of a newly observed bay on the right side of the Chinese J-XDS J-50 stealth fighter prototype.
It remains unknown whether this bay is intended for weapons or serves another function. Questions have already been raised regarding the potential internal space in this area for storing a relevant munition. It’s worth noting that China’s J-20 stealth fighter features weapons bays in a roughly similar location, employing a unique mechanism where the internal missiles and their launch rails extend fully outside the aircraft before firing. This is just one example of innovative design seen in modern jet fighter aircraft. For comparison, consider the capabilities of a 4.5th generation fighter aircraft and how newer designs push boundaries.
Furthermore, we now have much clearer views of the J-XDS/J-50’s distinctive swiveling wingtip control surfaces. Previous analysis has suggested that these wingtips likely contribute to providing additional stability for the tailless aircraft design. The potential advantages and disadvantages of such a design choice have been explored in detail within the context of China’s advanced aircraft programs.
No idea yet, but also interesting what looks like massive actuators … pic.twitter.com/9fGMn1GbY6
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 23, 2025
Broader Developments and Mysterious Appearances
While new details about the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 continue to attract significant attention, these projects represent only a part of the substantial military aviation development efforts known to be underway in China. These include progress in flying wing UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles), new domestically developed airborne early warning jets based on the Y-20 airframe, and large drones like the WZ-9 Divine Eagle now operating from bases in the South China Sea.
Adding to the intrigue, a satellite image available through Google Earth began circulating today, showing a curious object resembling a stealth fighter on the apron in front of the passenger terminal at Jining Qufu Airport in Shandong Province, eastern China. This object features a modified diamond-like delta platform, canards, and twin vertical tails. Additional satellite imagery from Planet Labs confirms its presence there since at least September 2024. This finding is particularly unusual given that Jining Qufu Airport, previously co-located with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) Jining Air Base, was officially closed in December 2023.
Satellite image from Google Earth showing a stealth fighter-like object parked on the apron at Jining Qufu Airport in March 2025.
Wider satellite view from Google Earth showing the main terminal and apron at the closed Jining Qufu Airport with a mysterious aircraft-like object in March 2025.
Although the nature of this ‘airframe’ is unclear, it is highly probable that it is some kind of mock-up or decoy. While it bears some superficial resemblance to the Baidi Type-B, also known as the “White Emperor”—a fictional ‘space fighter’ design displayed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) at the 2024 Zhuhai airshow—it also exhibits significant differences.
Comparisons have also been drawn to vaguely J-20-esque ‘shapes’ that appeared at the remote Lintao Air Base in north-central China in 2022. However, the wing structure and nose of the object at Jining are distinctly different from those previously seen at Lintao, which are also believed to be mock-ups or decoys.
Comparison image showing one of the unidentified aircraft-like shapes seen at Lintao Air Base in 2022 alongside the object that recently appeared at Jining Qufu Airport.
Simultaneously, a video has begun circulating on social media, prompting speculation about the potential emergence of yet another new Chinese advanced military aircraft. The information that can be gathered from this video is limited due to the distance of the aircraft and the footage’s overall quality. Its origin is also not immediately clear. What is visible does not appear to directly align with any currently known Chinese aircraft designs. Its overall shape also differs from a still-unidentified tailless fighter-like airframe that recently appeared at Shenyang’s main plant in January.
China is reportedly testing a third platform in northern China, according to the latest visuals that have emerged on social media.
The aircraft appears to be different from the two previously known tailless designs currently undergoing testing.
It is still too early to… pic.twitter.com/9SsfoHPsAi
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) April 23, 2025
Yes and as I noted here I’m confused … 🤔https://t.co/s5MNby9ZBl
However it is so much blurry. The best guess would be some sort of UAV/UCAV. We simply need to wait for more. pic.twitter.com/SqHTBwxf8J
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 23, 2025
It is important to remember that the sudden appearance of new advanced Chinese aircraft designs is not unprecedented. The dramatic reveal of both the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 flying simultaneously on December 26 last year, despite no prior imagery of either aircraft having surfaced, serves as a prime example of this pattern in the development of fighter aircraft of China. Compared to developments like Pakistan’s pakistan new fighter aircraft programs or insights into new russian fighter aircraft, China’s rapid progression remains a key focus for defense analysts.
Conclusion
Ongoing testing of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 is clearly continuing to unveil new details about these advanced designs. Experts had previously anticipated that reasonably high-resolution imagery of the two aircraft might emerge by early summer, consistent with the pattern of past Chinese information ‘leaks.’ If other advanced Chinese military aircraft are indeed currently undergoing flight testing or are nearing the final stages of development, it is highly likely that additional details about them will also begin to surface, further illuminating the future landscape of Chinese military aviation and stealth technology. The advancements seen underscore the dynamic nature of Fighter Aircraft Of China.
