China's J-36 Fighter Jet: Redefining Global Air Combat Strategies?

Is China outpacing the US in air combat technology? We dissect this provocative question as we spotlight the cutting-edge J-36 fighter jet—a tailless, diamond-shaped marvel that could redefine global military dynamics. With the J-36's groundbreaking design, we explore whether China has leaped ahead or merely caught up with the US in this high-stakes arms race. The implications for America's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program are immense, as the pressure mounts to accelerate development and maintain supremacy. We take you through the engineering triumphs China may have achieved, focusing on radar evasion and survivability in hostile airspace.

Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the J-36's unique three-engine configuration. Could this innovation include a hypersonic ramjet or scramjet, offering unprecedented speed and efficiency? Discover the aircraft's multi-role versatility, from commanding long-range strikes to controlling drones, and its role in the future of networked warfare. With potential integrations of advanced sensor fusion, AI, and even directed energy weapons, the J-36 is set to be a game-changer. Finally, we compare its design philosophy with sixth-generation air combat principles, evaluating its strategic significance and how it might reshape global air combat strategies. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of air combat technology and the extraordinary developments poised to redefine the skies.

Chapters

• 0:00 Future of Air Combat Technology
• 6:33 Next-Generation Air Combat Technology Analysis

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Today's video is brought to you by War Thunder. For decades, the United States has led the world in cutting-edge fighter jet technology, but that dominance is now facing a serious challenge. China has officially become the first country to fly what appears to be a sixth-generation fighter, the J-36, a sleek tailless aircraft. Shrouded in secrecy, this development has sent shockwaves through military circles, leaving many wondering is the J-36 just a prototype meant to stir the pot, or has China truly leapfrogged the US in next-gen air combat? Meanwhile, the US Air Force's next-generation air dominance, or NGAD fighter, remains stuck in development limbo. While NGAD has been talked about for years, the Pentagon is still weighing its options, even as China's latest move puts immense pressure on the program. The stakes couldn't be higher. Whichever nation masters sixth-generation technology first will dictate the future of aerial warfare. Today, we're going to break down everything we know about the J-36 and why it's causing such a stir. Specifically, we'll dive into what makes the J-36 so groundbreaking and whether it truly lives up to its sixth-generation label, how this puts the US in a difficult position and forces the NGAD program to accelerate. What the broader six-generation arms race means for the future of air combat and how it could redefine the global power structure. And to help visualize it all, I'll be using this custom 3D model of the J-36 that's based on everything we've gathered so far. Custom 3D model of the J-36 that's based on everything we've gathered so far. This will give us a closer look at the aircraft's unique design and technological advancements.

Speaker 1: 1:51

But here's where things get even more interesting. While the J-36 might be the first alleged sixth-generation fighter to take flight, the sixth-generation era, technically, has already started, and it didn't begin with a fighter. Instead, it's begun with the B-21 Raider, the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber. The B-21 has been flying under the radar literally for over a year now, and, while its role is different from NGAD, its technology is directly influencing the future of aerial warfare. So does the J-36 signal a genuine breakthrough for China, or is it simply catching up to technology that the US has already been refining? The J-36 could be a game changer or a paper tiger, but one thing is certain it's forcing the US to act. Whether that means ramping up the NGAD or rethinking its entire air combat strategy remains to be seen. So stick around, because we're going to analyze every detail of the J-36, break down its potential capabilities and compare it to what we know about the NGAD and, as we go through it, my 3D model will help us visualize exactly how this aircraft fits into the future of air combat. Let's take a look and get into it Before we break down the J-36's cutting edge design and its potential impact on the global arms race.

Speaker 1: 3:15

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Speaker 1: 5:08

Now, speaking of next generation war machines, let's get back to the J-36 and see how its design is putting pressure on the US to accelerate its NGAD program. The J-36 is more than just China's latest fighter jet. It appears to be a bold leap into 6thgeneration air combat, packed with features that push the boundaries of aviation technology. Here are six things that make it so groundbreaking. Number 1, a truth sixth-generation design. At first glance, the J-36 looks like nothing we've seen before from China. Unlike its predecessors, the J-20 or even the American F-35, this aircraft ditches traditional vertical control surfaces in favor of a tailless diamond-shaped airframe Features that are shaping up to be the hallmark of next-generation stealth technology. These physical features likely will give the J-36 a significant edge in evading radar detection. Likely will give the J-36 a significant edge in evading radar detection, making it potentially one of the stealthiest designs ever flown. However, everything comes at a cost. The tailless design, while stealthy, presents enormous engineering challenges in stability and control, challenges that China appears to have overcome. Its aerodynamic profile not only reduces drag at high speeds more on that later but also contributes to enhanced survivability in contested airspace.

Speaker 1: 6:33

Number two advanced propulsion system. One of the most surprising aspects of the J-36 is its apparent three-engine configuration, something completely unheard of in modern fighter design. This could suggest that China has developed a solution to one of the biggest challenges in next-gen aviation balancing power and efficiency. The middle engine, with its dorsal intake, might be optimized for supersonic flight, while the side engines are designed for takeoff and lower speed operations. Going a bit deeper into the engine layout, could it be possible that this third engine is a hypersonic ramjet or scramjet, along with giving the J-36 immense speed. A scramjet could also allow the fighter to launch hypersonic missiles at super-fast ramjet speeds, greatly extending the range and reach of those missiles. There's also speculation that these engines could integrate variable cycle technology. This would allow the engines to adapt to different flight conditions. These adaptive engines have been demonstrated by General Electric and Pratt Whitney for the F-35. I've done a whole video on this topic. You can watch that video after this one link in the description below. If the J-36 does indeed have adaptive engines, it would make the aircraft capable of both extreme fuel efficiency and cruising modes, while also putting out high performance numbers at supersonic speeds also putting out high performance numbers at supersonic speeds. This kind of propulsion flexibility could enable the J-36 to outclass existing 5th Gen fighters in range, speed and endurance. Keep in mind that historically, china has struggled somewhat with engine technology, so we need to take these developments with a grain of salt. However, if their quality, control and metal regime methods have improved, then again the J-36 could be a credible threat when it enters mass production.

Speaker 1: 8:30

Number 3. Multi-role Versatility, along with engine configurations, the J-36 seems to be more than just a fighter. It appears to be a true multi-role platform that could be capable of excelling in both air superiority and ground strike missions, though not in the way you might think. Its enormous airframe, while likely not maneuverable, provides plenty of room for a massive internal weapons bay, estimated to be nearly 6 meters long. This would allow it to carry China's PL-17 long-range air-to-air missiles, cruise missiles and, potentially, next-generation hypersonic weapons. And, just like America's NGAD, the J-36 appears to be made for high speed and range and not dogfighting. Also like the NGAD and even the F-35, to some extent, the jet is likely a drone controller, allowing smaller, cheaper and more maneuverable drones to take up close-range dogfighting scenarios if needed. More on that in a minute. From what we've seen so far, 6gen is shaping up to be all about speed, range and controlling drone swarms. And speaking of long range, this also suggests a strategic capability, with the potential to strike targets as far away as Guam, putting US bases and assets in the Pacific under significant threat. This range capability makes it not just a tactical fighter but a strategic weapon capable of reshaping regional power dynamics. Again, if our assumptions are correct, the J-36 could air-launch hypersonic missiles that could threaten carrier strike groups in the western Pacific.

Speaker 1: 10:08

Number 4. Sensor Fusion and Battlefield Integration when it comes to advanced radar and sensors. China is reportedly aiming to make the J-36 a supernode in a larger networked battlefield. The aircraft is believed to feature advanced sensor fusion technology that will integrate data from multiple onboard and off-board sources, which will give its pilots unparalleled situational awareness. Along with this, its rumored cheek-mounted radar arrays and additional sensor apertures suggest 360-degree tracking capabilities. This sensor suite is probably similar to those found on the F-35's Distributed Aperture System, or DAS. On the J-36,. These sensors will likely be combined with AI-powered systems. Note the recent release of DeepSeek, which caught the world by surprise in terms of China's AI development. Using advanced AI, the J-36 could coordinate with unmanned drones in ways not seen before, directing them in a loyal wingman-type role for reconnaissance, electronic warfare and even dogfighting. This would allow the J-36 to dominate the skies while staying at a safe distance from danger.

Speaker 1: 11:24

Number five energy weapons and power generation. Another standout feature of the J-36 is its rumored electrical power generation capacity, which is vital for future-proofing sixth-generation fighters. Modern aircraft are super power-hungry. They require massive amounts of electricity for advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems and sensors. But sixth-gen jets will go a step further, potentially integrating directed energy weapons like laser-based missile defenses or offensive laser systems. The three-engine configuration could be the solution to the power demand. Another possibility for the third engine would be to have it optimized for electricity generation. So the J-36 might be preparing to incorporate cutting-edge systems that other fighters simply can't accommodate. Yet Again, this is all new technology, so reliability and maintenance schedules will still need to be determined. We just don't know at this point how reliable and available this jet will be.

Speaker 1: 12:27

Number 6 Designed for the Future of Warfare. So what about the NGAD? Before we get to America's next generation air dominance program, let's sum up the J-36 and why it's future. Proofed From what we have seen and know so far, it appears to embody the philosophy of 6th gen air combat stealth range and networked operations that are prioritized over raw maneuverability. While older jets made dogfighting and agility a high priority, 6th generation jets like the J-36 assumed that aerial combat will be dominated by long-range missile engagements, unmanned drones and networked warfare. In some ways we've come full circle back to the missile theory that was prevalent in the 1950s. Interesting Now, the J-36's tailless design, massive range and advanced sensors all suggest a platform designed to excel in this environment. By reducing its radar signature and extending its operational capabilities, the J-36 appears to be a perfect fit for modern first strike and contested airspace scenarios.

Speaker 1: 13:32

Now, what's interesting is that you could say all of this about the goals of the NGAD program. Remember that recently, the US Air Force put the program on hold and is evaluating its priorities as of the making of this video. Ironically, one of the biggest competitors to the NGAD is actually the B-21 Raider. The Raider is a 6th generation bomber that has been flying for over a year and is showing much promise. Some reports show that the bomber may even be under budget, which is impressive. Like other 6th generation designs, the B-21 is tailless and promises to be even more stealthy than the B-2 Spirit, which it will replace. Now here's the thing we've already mentioned that what we've seen from every 6th gen concept is that speed, stealth and range are what's needed in the modern and future battle space. So here's a hot take.

Speaker 1: 14:25

The question is could the B-21 actually serve as both a bomber and a 6th gen fighter? While this seems outlandish at first, let's take a look at the size of the J-36. It's more like a bomber than a fighter. In fact, I'd say the J-36 resembles the F-111 in some ways A delta-shaped, oversized fighter that turns out to be more bomber than fighter. So is it possible that the B-21 is actually the NGAD? Now, the other side of this argument is that, according to some sources, the NGAD has been flying since 2015. But again, could those have been technology demonstrators for what is now the B-21? Another possibility to consider is that the NGAD program is well underway and the Air Force is keeping it ultra-secret for obvious reasons.

Speaker 1: 15:16

Regardless of the NGAD's status or even existence, china's unveiling of the J-36 has undeniably put the arms race for sixth generation into high gear and is pushing the boundaries of aviation technology, while forcing the United States to reassess its own strategy. Whether the J-36 is truly operational or just an early prototype, its mere existence could signal a shift in the balance of power. Prototype, its mere existence could signal a shift in the balance of power, one that the US cannot afford to ignore. And, despite what you might think about the J-36, remember it's always best to never underestimate your enemy. Therefore, in my opinion, the J-36 should be seen as a credible threat. Meanwhile, the NGAD program remains shrouded in secrecy and its official future is uncertain, while the Air Force reassesses its priorities. The question now, then, becomes whether the US will accelerate the NGAD's development to maintain its air dominance or pivot toward an alternative solution like the B-21 Raider. One thing is certain the era of sixth generation warfare has already begun, and whichever nation masters it first will dictate the future of aerial combat. The time for the NGAD program to step up is now, before it finds itself outpaced in the skies.

Speaker 1: 16:37

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Speaker 1: 17:05

So don't miss out. What do you think? Is the J-36 a credible threat? Will the NGAD program resume or is it already flying? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for watching and don't forget to like and subscribe for more content in the comments below. Thanks for watching and don't forget to like and subscribe for more content. And thank you to my patrons and channel members who go above and beyond and directly support my channel. If you'd like to join, I'll leave links in the description below. The race for sixth generation is starting to heat up Now, you know.