New Sightings of China’s Secretive J-36 Fighter Reveals Major Design Element

A new image of China’s highly secretive J-36 sixth-generation tactical aircraft has surfaced, giving aviation watchers the clearest front-facing view of the jet yet.

If authentic, this shot confirms several major design elements — including a side-by-side seating arrangement beneath a wide canopy and three distinct open ventral weapons bays — hinting at a large, mission-flexible platform that straddles the line between a heavy fighter and a tactical bomber.

Large, Powerful, and Possibly Triple-Engined

The aircraft’s visible size immediately stands out. Ground crew members nearby help show just how large the jet is — far bulkier than a traditional fighter. Its blended fuselage and forward-set cockpit suggest a focus on long range and high fuel capacity.

Paired with reports of a unique triple-engine configuration fed by both dorsal and lateral inlets, the J-36 may be designed to sustain supersonic speeds over vast distances — a rare and valuable capability in Asia’s expanding airpower theater.

Three more images showing the J-36 during its second flight. pic.twitter.com/B5nAmiyPlg

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) March 17, 2025

Internal Weapons Bay Configuration

The most notable feature of the image is the trio of weapons bays along the underside. A large central bay, flanked by two smaller ones, points to a layout optimized for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

These side bays would allow the aircraft to carry smaller missiles or guided bombs, while reserving the central bay for larger standoff munitions. That kind of flexibility is essential for deep strike or interdiction roles — and rare for a fighter-sized platform.

Electro-Optical Sensors and Avionics

Other visible features include large aperture windows near the nose — likely housing infrared or electro-optical sensors — and twin heads-up displays inside the cockpit.

This supports the idea that the J-36 is designed for two-crew operation, possibly one pilot and one systems operator, to manage complex missions in electronic warfare, surveillance, or long-range strike.

Unanswered Questions and Future Sightings

While the photo offers valuable insights, some visual anomalies — including a possibly altered rear section — have raised questions about digital manipulation. Still, the aircraft’s location, design elements, and apparent size match what analysts expect from a prototype housed at Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, which is believed to be the J-36’s developer.

This aircraft appears to be more than just a new stealth fighter. With its size, internal payload capacity, and two-person crew, the J-36 may be China’s answer to a multirole heavy-hitter — part regional bomber, part high-end air superiority platform. As more images and flight data emerge, the aviation world will be watching closely.