China unveiled two sixth-generation fighter jets on December 26, 2024, in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, representing the next evolutionary leap, drawing on lessons from two decades of R&D. While it stunned the world, China’s fighter aircraft had made a huge leap since the introduction of the J-10 in the 2000s. The J-20, unveiled in 2011, was its first fifth-generation aircraft, showcasing stealth, super-cruise, and advanced avionics.
By actually flying the two ground-breaking sixth-generation fighter technology demonstrators, it signalled its ambitions to be in the technology lead and redefine air dominance. The diamond-shaped wing and tailless designs indicate cutting-edge stealth technology. The size highlights the capability for long-range and increased weapon load capabilities. The flights occurred in broad daylight, accompanied by a J-20S twin-seat fighter.
Main Design Features of Chengdu J-36
The aircraft nick-named “White Emperor” is part of Project Nantianmen’s research initiative exploring future aviation technologies. The aircraft, believed to be designated Chengdu J-36 (AVIC Baidi Type-B), has a diamond-shaped, tailless design, and features three air intakes, two positioned laterally and a third on top, suggesting a unique approach to engine integration. Did the aircraft have three engines? But it seemed to have only two exhausts. If it is a third engine, then is it a scramjet? Or is a third engine required to increase thrust?
The diamond wing shape is somewhat reminiscent of the Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23, the American single-seat, twin-engine, stealth fighter technology demonstrator prototype. The diamond shape gives great volume and therefore extra fuel and weapons. These are required for China to hit the US base at Guam in the Western Pacific.
The second aircraft, slightly smaller and with a more conventional appearance, also lacks vertical stabilisers, a key feature of next-generation stealth. Clearly, the design is a departure from earlier stealth aircraft, the J-20 or the American F-22 and J-35. Removal of the vertical tail reduces radar cross-section (RCS) and signature. It demands sophisticated flight control algorithms to maintain stability and agility. Also, aero-engines are likely to have thrust-vectoring to support stability and better manoeuvrability.
One of the most talked-about features of the White Emperor is its potential hypersonic capabilities. The aircraft is reportedly designed to operate at altitudes of up to 25,000 meters, well beyond the normal operations of traditional fighter jets. Hypersonic flight, if really true, would also enhance the jet’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles and conduct long-range strikes, positioning China as a leading power in the hypersonic arms race. They already have operational hypersonic weapons.
The larger aircraft, with an estimated 20-metre wingspan and 20-metre length, takes a size somewhere between a fighter and a bomber. The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider wingspan is approximately 40 metres, and the length from the nose tip to the rear is 16 metres. Larger size means more fuel, longer range, and larger internal weapon bays. It is presumed that it will have advanced avionics for missions deep into contested airspace. Its sleek silhouette and powerful engines suggest a formidable combination of speed, agility, and firepower.
The weapons bay might be almost 6 m long, big enough to carry China‘s latest long-range PL-17 missile. The double wheel under-carriage bogies were perhaps required due to a higher max take-off weight. The MiG-31 has a similar arrangement.
The type of engines powering the demonstrator remains a subject of speculation. China‘s most powerful WS15 engines may in its future variants approach higher thrust, but currently may not be enough to power it, hence possibly the need for three engines. A third may also be required for greater electric power generation. Possibly it uses WS-10C turbofan engines. The top-mounted air intake could enhance airflow and cooling for high-performance operations, critical for sustained stealth and speed. This also reduces the IR signature. Super-cruise, sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, would be inbuilt. The second smaller aircraft flown on the same day could be more agile and also support carrier operations.
Effectively, it will be a “force multiplier” that with combat teaming would project power across the heavily defended Western Pacific, where they will face American air power’s might.
What Are Sixth-Generation Aircraft?
Sixth-generation aircraft will have all the features of a fifth-generation aircraft with enhanced capabilities. Sixth-generation aircraft are meant to have broad-spectrum stealth, which refers to the ability to minimize radar detectability across a wide range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum. This is required for deep-penetration missions in heavily defended battle-space. The USA has already demonstrated this in its stealth bombers.
They will have advanced sensors which will extensively leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and data fusion, giving them the ability to operate as “flying command posts.” artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical component of sixth-generation platforms. By integrating AI with advanced avionics, China seeks to outpace rivals in battlefield automation, further blurring the line between human and machine decision-making.
Some of the other features of sixth-generation aircraft include optionally manned capabilities, sensor fusion, and advanced data handling capabilities, including 6G communications speed, advanced power plants, greater electric power generation, and Directed Energy Weapons (DEW). DEW can be used for anti-space operations and can disable enemy drones, incoming missiles, and even aircraft at a distance without firing traditional munitions.
Vast amounts of data will be processed in real time. They will support enhanced situational awareness and autonomous decision-making. Aircraft will communicate and control drones and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), including drone swarms that will give a decisive advantage in contested environments. They will have enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, simultaneously handling many threats. An aerial platform with stealth superiority and networked combat for future air dominance.
Timing of the Demonstration
The test flights were made on Chairman Mao Zedong’s birthday, a significant date in Chinese political symbolism. Mao Zedong was born on 26 December 1893. It was also timed to intimidate the world by showcasing China’s military and technological might in the build-up to more aggressive future actions over Taiwan. This includes the naval and nuclear capabilities build-up.
Geo-political Signalling
As China grows its Comprehensive National Power (CNP), it is becoming more aggressive in both the East and South China Seas. Western sanctions against Russia have pushed it much closer to China. Effectively, the second and third super-powers are currently working in unison.
The Pentagon is still debating the future of the US Air Force’s (USAF) NGAD program, slated for operational readiness by the 2030s. This has become more accentuated after Elon Musk made a statement that there was no role for crewed fighters. The timelines of the European Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a sixth-generation aircraft program involving the UK, Japan, and Italy, are similar to the American ones. With Beijing having stolen a march over Washington, the debate will have fresh connotations.
China has also sent a signal to global audiences that they are fast closing the technological gap with the Western defence industry. It is also a strong signal to major neighbours like Japan, South Korea, and India.
Need for Cautious Reactions
Undoubtedly, the so-called Chinese sixth-generation aircraft has taken off and landed. But it is not the first tail-less aircraft flying. The US has been flying the Northrop B-2 Spirit bomber since 1989 and has done many operational missions. The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider has also done its first flight. India’s “Ghatak” demonstrator has also flown earlier. There are also Russian and Turkish flying-wing UCAVs. Information about Chinese systems remains extremely guarded. The world must wait and watch, and not jump to early conclusions.
China’s Aviation Industry Growing but USA Still Dominates
China’s aviation industry has undergone a huge transformation beyond just fighter aircraft. China has made huge investments in defence R&D. China is already making its own large transport aircraft, the Y-20 (66-ton payload), and is working on an aerial refueller and AEW&C variant. They have a very successful UAS program. China will soon have a stealth bomber (the H-20). China has some of the best aerial missiles in the world.
Among the world’s top defence contractors, the USA’s Lockheed Martin (maker of the F-22, F-16, and F-35) continues to lead with a huge margin. But the Aviation Industry Corporation of China has moved rapidly to 2nd position in 2024. There are six US and three Chinese firms in the top ten. BAE Systems (U.K.) at 7th is the only other. In the top 25, 12 are from the USA, 5 from China, two from the U.K., two from France, and one each from Italy, Israel, South Korea, and Germany. But, in the top 100, there are 48 US companies and only six Chinese companies. So the USA still dominates, but China is gradually coming up.
What the New Aircraft Mean for India?
China flying two sixth-gen stealth jets in 24 hours is a wake-up call for India, and even more so for the USA. The deployment of a sixth-generation fighter would give China a significant deterrent against potential adversaries. China’s sixth-generation fighters are expected to enter into service by the late 2020s or early 2030s, and may also play a crucial role in the country’s broader efforts to dominate space and cyber warfare. Combined with hypersonic weapons, long-range missiles, and DEW, it gives China an advantage in kinetic and non-kinetic warfare.
On September 14, 2020, the USA revealed that they had secretly designed, built, and flown at least one prototype of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter. But details remain classified. China was 14 years behind the USA in fifth-generation aircraft, but now the gap is only 4 years for the sixth-generation fighter. The USA is still significantly ahead of China in deployable air power.
As China’s air combat capabilities grow, regional powers such as Japan, South Korea, and India will have to invest more in their advanced fighter aircraft to maintain a credible deterrent against Chinese aggression.
China is not only pulling ahead in aviation technology and capability, but the gap with India is fast becoming unbridgeable in the near future. China will have greater capability to penetrate Indian airspace without being detected.
Indian indigenous fighters are still at the 4+ generation. The LCA Mk2 will be a 4.5-generation aircraft like the Rafale, but it has still to fly and is 6-8 years away from induction. The under-development Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is still over a decade away from induction. India has still to fix its falling fighter aircraft strength.
The J-20 fleet could increase its number beyond 800 aircraft by 2030, while the target is 1,500 aircraft by 2035. Pakistan has reportedly fast-tracked the acquisition of 40 J-35 stealth fighters from China and may induct them in 3-4 years, which could outpace the IAF. China’s sixth-generation fighter promises to redefine air warfare in the coming decades.
With potential deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), these advanced jets may provide China with enhanced reconnaissance and strike capabilities, pressuring India’s defensive postures. India must accelerate its development or acquisition of sixth-generation technologies to maintain a competitive edge. This also highlights the urgency for India to further its indigenous defence programs, such as the AMCA.
It is time for India’s recently constituted high-level committee under the Defence Secretary to reassess and suggest how to rejuvenate the IAF with this new development in mind. It is time to act. It has to be a whole-of-nation approach.
Note: The article was originally written by the Author for The First Post on 3rd January 2025; it has since been updated.
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