China tests third prototype of next-gen combat aircraft

China has carried out a flight of a third prototype of its heavy next-generation fighter-bomber known as the J-36, signaling steady progress in a program of future Chinese combat jets.

Photos showing the aircraft in flight alongside a J-10C fighter were published on December 25. The images depict an airframe that differs in visible details from the two earlier prototypes, suggesting that the program remains in an active experimental phase.

Defense analyst Andreas Rupprecht shared one of the images on social media and commented on its timing and significance. “Apparently this year China‘s Christmas surprise is not a super-fancy new type, but – itself most impressive – the maiden flight of the third J-36 prototype,” Rupprecht wrote.

Observers note that all three known J-36 prototypes appear to differ from one another in several design aspects. Based on available imagery, analysts say the aircraft show variations in air intake configuration, engine exhaust nozzles, landing gear structures, and a range of other design solutions. These differences suggest that engineers are testing multiple approaches before settling on a final configuration.

The first J-36 prototype reportedly took to the air about a year ago, followed by a second prototype that was spotted in October of this year. The appearance of a third flying airframe within that timeframe points to a development tempo that is drawing attention outside China.

The J-36 is widely described as a heavy fighter-bomber and is often discussed in the context of sixth-generation combat aircraft concepts. While U.S. programs for next-generation air platforms are still largely in the announcement and early development stages, China has now been observed flying multiple prototypes of what appears to be a large, three-engine combat aircraft.

Chinese authorities have not released official technical details about the J-36. However, analysts assess that the aircraft is intended to replace the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s aging fleet of JH-7 fighter-bombers, which have been in service since the 1990s. The new platform is expected to take on long-range strike and maritime attack roles.

Some analysts also draw comparisons between the J-36 and Russia’s Su-34 Fullback, a tactical strike aircraft currently used in combat operations during the war in Ukraine. Like the Su-34, the J-36 appears designed for deep strike missions while operating under the protection of friendly air defenses and escort fighters.

Although specifics about the aircraft’s performance, sensors, and weapons remain classified, the design emphasis visible in released imagery points to a focus on reduced observability and internal payload capacity. The aircraft’s size and configuration suggest it could be capable of carrying advanced guided weapons, including anti-ship missiles and air-to-ground munitions, from internal bays.