China Chengdu J-36

[Military Update]

China appears to be taking a bold leap forward in airpower with what could be its first 6th generation fighter — the Chengdu J-36.

While official details are scarce, here's a summary of what has surfaced so far:

Tailless flying wing design
Possible AI-assisted systems
Integration with loyal wingman drones
Likely 3D thrust vectoring & supercruise
Stealth-first platform, potentially rivaling NGAD

What sets the J-36 apart is its radical departure from the J-20 — this isn’t just another stealthy evolution, but possibly a platform designed from the ground up to compete in a multi-domain, sensor-fusion battlespace.

Some analysts speculate it may already be in early test flights, possibly under the radar as a tech demonstrator — similar to how the U.S. kept its NGAD prototype under wraps.

Full breakdown and analysis here:
https://www.militaryupdate.net/2025/04/chengdu-j36-6th-gen-fighter.html

Discussion points:

• Could the J-36 match or outpace the U.S. NGAD timeline?
• Is China ready for a 6th-gen production run or is this a PR move?
• What roles could the J-36 be optimized for — deep strike? air dominance? electronic warfare?

Would love to hear what fellow members think.
Is this a genuine next-gen leap, or smoke and mirrors?