China's next-generation J-36 fighter aircraft has been spotted in the skies for the third time, soon after the United States revealed details of its most advanced combat jet, the F-47.
The Chinese military did not immediately respond to Newsweek's request for comment.
Why It Matters
U.S. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on March 21 that Boeing has been awarded a pivotal contract to develop the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, which is designated the F-47.
The plane, which has secretly been flying in its experimental version for almost five years, has capabilities superior to those of the aircraft of any other nation, Trump claimed. The NGAD program will replace Lockheed Martin's F-22, a stealth fighter jet that entered service nearly two decades ago.
In China, which has the largest aviation force in the Indo-Pacific region with over 3,150 aircraft, two next-generation fighter aircraft prototypes were spotted flying for the first time on Boxing Day, including the J-36. The latter was also seen flying for the second time last week.
What To Know
According to an image and a video circulated on social media on Tuesday, the J-36 has conducted its third test flight, with footage showing it landing at Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC)'s plant in its namesake city, the capital of the Chinese southwestern province of Sichuan.
Citing satellite imagery of CAC's plant, specialist outlet The War Zone reported last week that an aircraft shelter was constructed on the flight test line between last November and last December that is capable of housing the massive, triangular-shaped J-36.
"This [shelter] allows the aircraft to be prepared for flight and final checks performed with minimal time exposed to onlookers and satellites above. It also keeps the jet out of the weather, which will be important for continued testing," The War Zone said.
The Chinese military currently operates one fifth-generation fighter jet, the radar-evading J-20, which is the predecessor of the next-generation aircraft. Two new Chinese fifth-generation combat jets, the J-20S and the J-35A, were officially unveiled last November.
Following the announcement of the NGAD, the U.S. Navy is expected to pick a defense contractor this week to build its next-generation stealth fighter jet, known as the F/A-XX, for deployment aboard aircraft carriers, Reuters said, citing people familiar with the decision.
While there is no universal consensus on what defines fighter jet generations, experts told Newsweek previously that next-generation, or sixth-generation, fighter jets will have better stealth capabilities, more advanced computers and superior engines compared with the F-22 and J-20.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump said at a press conference on March 21: "I'm thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world's first sixth-generation fighter jet ... Nothing in the world comes even close to it."
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference on March 21: "[The F-47] sends a very direct, clear message to our allies that we're not going anywhere and to our enemies that we can, and we will, be able to project power around the globe, unimpeded, for generations to come."
Specialist outlet The Aviationist wrote in an article on March 17: "As we mentioned in earlier reports here at The Aviationist, at this stage it is impossible to verify the Chinese claims about these designs being 6th generation aircraft. Also, the description of 6th generation itself is still being debated, as they are often seen as multirole assets, air superiority assets, 'quarterbacks' of the attack force, depending on who you ask."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen when the F-47 jet will make its first public appearance, while Chinese air power continues to grow.
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This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 4:56 AM.