The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) unveiled images of two novel sixth-generation fighter jets on December last year. These aircraft feature a groundbreaking tailless design, a hallmark of sixth-generation fighters previously unseen in operational aircraft. China’s pursuit of advanced combat aviation aligns with its broader strategic objective of enhancing military capabilities. The development of sixth-generation fighters constitutes one element of this ambitious endeavor.
It’s important to understand that “fighter generations” are primarily marketing terms. While certain features distinguish fourth and fifth-generation aircraft, defining sixth-generation characteristics remains elusive. A clearer understanding of these distinctions will likely emerge in the coming decades as ongoing research and development programs unfold.
Some of the anticipated requirements for sixth-generation fighters include:
(1) A configuration designed for all-band, all-directional stealth.
(2) High-speed capabilities, potentially facilitated by features like Garrett intakes and three engines.
(3) Innovative control surfaces likely employing flexible-skin technology.
These features suggest that sixth-generation aircraft will represent a significant departure from existing fifth-generation and even “5.5-generation” concepts. They will necessitate a fundamentally new approach to aircraft design.
Fifth-generation fighters have demonstrated vulnerabilities to detection by longer-wavelength radars. However, the resolution of these radars is often insufficient to enable weapons lock. While these radars can provide information on the aircraft’s position and speed, they are not suitable for guiding weapons engagements. In contrast, the higher-frequency, higher-resolution radars that fifth-generation fighters are designed to evade are essential for weapon targeting.
I believe China’s sixth-generation aircraft the J-36 may be a bomber rather than a fighter. Its size and apparent lack of features associated with high-speed, high-altitude maneuverability, such as long-arm canards, thrust vectoring, or large control surfaces, support this assessment. While aircraft like the F-15 and Eurofighter can sustain high G-forces at high altitudes, the Chinese aircraft appears less suited for these maneuvers. It could potentially serve as a platform for long-range missiles, similar to the MiG-31, although its intake design differs from that aircraft. Given the success of the MiG-31BM in BVR engagements, speed and launch parameters are likely paramount for an aircraft designed to operate within China’s A2/AD network.
The Russian MiG-31 exemplifies this approach, prioritizing speed for launching BVR missiles from within the protection of its own air defense network. Considering China’s ambition to establish an A2/AD zone in the South China Sea and beyond, this role aligns with the potential capabilities of the new aircraft. It could function as a multi-role missile platform supporting J-20 fighters, providing air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. I speculate that the J-36 aircraft may be related to the JH-7 program, potentially the JHXX project, a long-range, medium-sized fighter-bomber or missile platform.
While the aircraft’s fuel capacity is likely substantial, the third engine is unlikely intended for generating electrical power. Such an approach would be inefficient and unnecessarily complex. The additional engine likely contributes to overall thrust, enabling efficient high-altitude cruise with a significant payload. The possibility of a ramjet or scramjet engine for high-speed cruise and supersonic flight is intriguing, particularly in the absence of a variable-cycle engine. The aircraft’s relatively large wing area may be attributed to internal fuel and weapons storage, which can significantly increase the apparent size of any new aircraft. The absence of vertical stabilizers suggests the use of innovative control surfaces, potentially involving aileron deployment for stabilization and yaw control. Key observations regarding the aircraft’s design include:
(1) A blended wing-body shape.
(2) Deeply integrated engines for reduced heat signature.
(3) Large air intakes, potentially indicative of a ram/scramjet system, combined with a reduced drag surface.
(4) A prominent nose, likely housing systems and/or small ordnance.
(5) Numerous wing splits for enhanced control surface functionality.
(6) Distinctive wingtips.
This J-36 aircraft may represent a test platform for integrating new technologies before transitioning to a final operational configuration. China’s rapid technological advancement in the aviation sector is not unexpected, given its status as the world’s largest economy.