China has made headlines by debuting two new stealth fighter prototypes, as revealed through recent flights by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). These developments, which took place on December 26, 2024, coincided intriguingly with the birthday of Chairman Mao Zedong, are being hailed as significant milestones for China's military aviation capabilities.
Images and videos circulated widely on social media, featuring the prototypical aircraft taking to the skies for their maiden flights. The CAC prototype, identified as potentially the J-36, showcased its tailless, delta-wing design during its test flight alongside the fifth-generation Chengdu J-20S, which escorted the new aircraft as it demonstrated its agility.
According to aviation experts, the Chengdu model features multiple engines and is comparable to existing designs such as the United States' Northrop B-2 Spirit bomber and F-22 Raptor fighter. Justin Bronk, an airpower expert at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted, "Fascinating... I suspect more likely to be the 5th Gen regional bomber/strike fighter project sometimes called J/H-XX." This indicates the Chinese Air Force may be developing aircraft capable of both combat engagements and precision strikes after penetrating enemy air defenses.
The Shenyang prototype, though smaller, boasts similar stealth features, lacking traditional tails to minimize radar return. Its configurations suggest it may serve different purposes within the PLAAF’s strategic framework, highlighting the competitive nature of China's military aircraft development.
This push for innovation reflects the broader ambitions of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to keep pace with advancements made by other global military powers, particularly the United States. The rapid advancement of military technology is not lost on observers; George W. Bush's former Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Mark Kelly, commented last year on China's work toward sixth-generation airpower with capabilities mirroring U.S. endeavors.
Each prototype is expected to push the boundaries of what is currently viable for manned combat aircraft, combining speed, stealth, and capabilities for interoperability with unmanned systems. Rick Joe, another analyst, expressed skepticism about immediately categorizing the Chengdu aircraft as part of the JH-XX program but acknowledged its likely role as air-to-air capable. He stated, "I’m very doubtful of this thing being JH-XX... describes it as an A2A platform first."
The stakes are made even clearer by recent Pentagon assessments which indicate China's intent to develop new medium- and long-range stealth bombers capable of reaching regional and global targets. The significance of the J-36 prototype, still uncertain in its ultimate deployment, cannot be understated as China seeks to address perceived vulnerabilities and gaps within its airpower capabilities.
Another notable aspect of these flights is the transparency with which China has revealed its new military hardware. Justin Bronk remarked on the significance of the daylight flights, emphasizing their potential as strategic messaging tools about China’s growing airpower prowess.
Overall, the flight events set off widespread speculation within military circles about the ultimate roles these aircraft might fulfill. While the J-36 and the Shenyang counterpart may very well be early prototypes, their successful flights indicate significant advancements and capabilities associated with sixth-generation fighter development.
With China making bold moves within military aviation technology, it is imperative for nations to assess their approaches and technological strategies moving forward. The clear challenge posed by these developments may prompt the United States and its allies to reassess and adapt their own fighter programs to meet new demands and threats.
