Key Points: China’s rapid development of two sixth-generation stealth fighters, the J-36 and J-50 (J-XDS), is placing it ahead of U.S. aerospace capabilities. Many key photos and videos are now on X and other social media platforms
-The larger, three-engined J-36 features potential nuclear capability, with design cues possibly influenced by Northrop Grumman’s YF-23.
J-XDS (aka J-50) is here with the clearest view so far. pic.twitter.com/D28wV2iwDK
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) April 23, 2025
-Meanwhile, the smaller J-50 features notable side bays that might indicate advanced weapons capabilities, possibly including hypersonic missiles.
-Both fighters are expected to incorporate manned-unmanned drone teaming, laser systems, and near-space operational capabilities, challenging American dominance in airpower.
The J-36 and J-50 Fighters Love Showing Up on Social Media
You would think that Xi Jinping has a master spreadsheet describing all the new U.S. examples of military hardware in development or use. Then he just commands that China’s defense industry copy or emulate whatever the Americans are building. This is the case with the development of sixth-generation fighter jets. The Chinese are forging ahead and flying two different next-generation warbirds, which has many concerned that the country is beating the Americans to the punch.
More images and videos are dribbling out by the day for the pair of sixth-generation fighters. The first fighter has been named the J-36, and the second stealth airplane is known as the J-50 or J-XDS.
J-36 Burst Into the Scene with Three Engines
The J-36 is bigger than the J-50. The J-36 has three engines that should make it highly speedy, capable of hitting at least Mach 2 or even Mach 3. The latest photos reveal that the J-36 has space for a pilot and a co-pilot/weapons system officer in the cockpit.
Interesting Designs for the J-50
The J-50 sightings provide different clues regarding the design. Images and video “show the interesting bay configuration on the side of the fuselage immediately behind the air intake and highlight other distinctive features like its swiveling wingtip control surfaces,” according to the War Zone.
Asking ChatGPT to Generate New Imagery to Glean Clues
Some innovative users of social media have even summoned large language AI models to generate photos of the J-36 and J-50, creating a virtual environment that provides more clues to the design characteristics of the sixth-generation airplanes.
Other users are doing it the old-fashioned way, taking videos from their cameras in person. X user “GaoFrank” excitedly said, “Finally got my hands on this video! Crystal-clear footage of Chengdu’s 6th-generation fighter jet soaring over Chengdu Airport. Absolutely amazing!”
Are the Chinese Stealing Design Ideas from Northrop Grumman?
This was the latest J-36 sighting. The airplane has a noteworthy design. Due to the three engines, it requires an exhaust system that can handle the additional fuel consumption and thrust. The exhaust vents “sit inward of the aircraft’s tailing edge.” This makes the J-36 especially recognizable from a side and rear view. It makes one think that the Chinese may have taken inspiration from the American YF-23, developed by Northrop Grumman.
Northrop used this design to make the YF-23 stealthier, and the Chinese appear to have taken note of it. That leads me to believe that my idea, which posits that Xi has a master plan to emulate the Americans, has taken root among Chinese engineers and designers. Not to mention, Beijing has a penchant for encouraging its spies to conduct industrial espionage, stealing aircraft designs.
Side-by-Side Cockpit and Bays May Offer Clues About Weapons
To accommodate the co-pilot and weapons system officer, the J-36 may feature a side-by-side cockpit. If true, that would be a departure in design. This could mean that the J-36 may be nuclear-capable and require an extra set of eyes up front, but it may be too early to make that determination at this time.
The J-50 is different, and online sleuths have managed to capture many still photos and videos of the new warbird. One social media user offered a photo that showed “a bay of some kind with a pronounced bulge at the front is now plainly visible on at least the right side of the fuselage behind the air intake. It is also positioned right in front of the main landing bay on that side of the aircraft,” the War Zone noted.
This could be a weapons bay, and its large size could indicate that this airplane is also nuclear-capable, possibly equipped with some type of hypersonic weapon. Both airplanes will likely be equipped with lasers and fly in near-space to target enemy satellites. They should be able to have manned-unmanned teaming of a flight of drones, similar to the American F-47 NGAD.
Yesterday’s J-36 footages with less dramatic edits https://t.co/kX0e3zMnT2 pic.twitter.com/tT9tHp9TPt
— 東風 (@eastwind6699) April 24, 2025
The Chinese military doesn’t seem to mind the numerous social media sightings. This has generated a high level of notoriety, excitement, and suspense surrounding the sixth-generation programs. Xi must be pleased. His J-50 and J-36 stealth fighters are frequently featured in Western news. This sends a message to the U.S. Department of Defense that Boeing needs to accelerate its development of the F-47 fighter. The Chinese are already flying – not one, but two next-generation fighters.
J-36 pic.twitter.com/e68XjY90hR
— OedoSoldier (@OedoSoldier) April 20, 2025
They are currently winning the race. The F-47 has two engine designs to choose from, which is essential, but time is of the essence, and China has leapt ahead. Look for more J-50s and J-36s to be spotted flying shortly by eagle-eyed social media users.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: A Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott, advising the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
