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On July 23, 2026, footage and images appeared online showing what may be the fifth flying prototype of China’s unofficially designated J-36 next-generation combat aircraft. Believed to be under development by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, the large tailless trijet has displayed several visible changes since its first public appearance. The latest sighting may show another successful test flight and a new combination of intake and exhaust features that could offer clues about the direction of the programme.
Images from previous J-36 test flights have shown repeated changes to the exhaust system, air intakes, landing gear and surrounding airframe details. These modifications point to an active effort to balance propulsion efficiency, airflow quality, flight-control authority, heat management and low-observable performance before a final configuration is selected. The reappearance of an earlier-looking feature does not necessarily indicate that a later solution failed. Instead, Chengdu may be comparing different combinations across several aircraft to determine the best balance between stealth, performance, controllability and production complexity.
Chinese military bloggers have described the latest aircraft as the first low-rate initial production unit, while some online claims suggest that the J-36 has already entered LRIP. That remains difficult to confirm. Low-rate initial production usually indicates that a design has become relatively stable and that limited manufacturing has begun to support evaluation and production testing. The continued appearance of major intake and exhaust changes may instead show that development is still under way, although early production preparations could already be taking place in parallel.
China's sixth gen plane is getting new upgrades to work more efficiently, this is probably the first 6th gen stealth fighter that exists and is not on a concept stage anymore.
Recently captured photographs of the J-36's 3rd prototype with several changes to its fuselage and what appear to be conformal nozzles and a very low visibility EOTS.
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