Flight testing of two new next-generation fighter designs in China is continuing to be rapid and provides new insights into the aircraft. The newest image of the larger of these two designs is often (but informally) called the J-36, and its appearance is by far the sharpest on the exhaust ports of its three engines and has new angles in its possible two-seat cockpit. Other views of the second type, known as the J-XDS and J-50, show an interesting bay configuration on the fuselage side behind the air inlets and highlight other unique features such as its rotating wing control surface.
twz The J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 have been previously analyzed in high detail, which readers can find here.
There are no clear signs that the latest pictures and videos of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 have been made, but this is still a possibility, albeit small. It is well known that in online loops, the use of generating artificial intelligence (AI) intentionally enhances the version of the aircraft image. Many mobile phone cameras now produce similarly “smooth” images.
J-36’s latest view in the video and associated still images, seen in the social media post below, is said to have been filmed in Chengdu. Chengdu Aircraft Company, which owns the main factories there, is responsible for the aircraft.
As mentioned earlier, the new rear view of the J-36 gives the clearest look we see on the engine trio engine, which is already a very unusual feature of the aircraft. As shown below, we can now see the “petals” extending to the top of the exhaust trench at the tail edge of the aircraft. This only emphasizes twzPrevious analysis of the major similarities in the exhaust configuration of the J-36 and its form and function with similarities on the Northrop’s YF-23. The YF-23 also has an exotic air intake design with boundary layer pores to help improve airflow, as you can learn more here.
Chinese Internet Captured by X
Top down, Northrop’s YF-23 offers great views of its exhaust configuration, including ditches sitting at the edge of the tail edge and “petals” that extend to the top of a portion of it. US Air Force
As we have written before about the exhaust arrangement of the J-36 in general:
“It’s a clear low-key game for radar and infrared signature management. Embedding engine exhaust on the upper tail edge of the aircraft is a classic low-view design element, and Northrop has largely pioneered Northrop with tacit blue, B-2 spirit and YF-23 speed, which is an increasing area. The exhaust itself, which helps minimize infrared signatures as well as radar cross-section in most ways.”
The J-36 video also provides new views to the aircraft cockpit. Since the plane first appeared publicly, there has been speculation that it might have a two-seat cockpit with side-by-side seats. The images we have now are still inconclusive, but the possibility of two different minds being shown can be seen in Chinese military observers and contributors of the website.
Other pictures and videos of Shenyang Aircraft’s J-XDS/J-50 have also been circulating online for the past week or so.
Another set of images shows the J-XDS prototype of the SAC, with its landing gear showing down and sideways… Unfortunately, it’s still small and blurry!
(Pictures via @Qinshi 2022 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/l1fefv6b6s
– @rupprecht_a (@rupprechtdeino) April 23, 2025
As mentioned earlier, the most interesting thing is that now there is a distinctly raised bay clearly visible on the right side of the fuselage at least behind the air inlet. It is also located in front of the main landing bay on the other side of the plane.
Close-up is performed on the J-XDS/J-50 bay on the right side of the fuselage. China Internet via X
Is the J-XDS/J-50’s bay possible for weapons or is it intended for other purposes? Questions have been raised regarding whether this part of the aircraft has sufficient internal space to hold the relevant ammunition. It is worth noting that China’s J-20 stealth fighter has a weapon bay in roughly the same position, which also has a novel configuration, where the internal missiles pop up completely before launching, as you can read more here.
Our views on the J-XDS/J-50’s unique rotary wingtip control surface are also clearer. twz Tips that have previously evaluated these wings will likely help provide additional stability for the taillights and explore the advantages and disadvantages of such design decisions in detail.
While any new details about the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 continue to attract special attention, they represent only part of the important military aviation development work known to be ongoing in China, as well as other work that is supposed to be ongoing outside the public’s eyes.
Similarly, nowadays, satellite images provided by Google Earth have begun looping online, showing curious objects with the appearance of stealth fighters, including those on the apron in front of the passenger dock in Jining Qufu Airport in Shandon Province, Shandon Province, including the modified diamond-shaped delta platform, Canards and Twin vertical tail. Other satellite images from Planet Labs twz Comments show that it has been there since at least September 2024. In view of the fact that in December 2023, Jining Qufu Airport, which is with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Jining Air Force Base, was very curious.
View objects seen in the jining Qufu airport image provided by Google Earth in March 2025. Google Earth
As shown in the March 2025 satellite image, the larger view is at the main terminal of the Qufu Airport in Jining and the apron in front. Google Earth
The “body” is not clear yet, but it seems likely to be some kind of model. It shows some rough similarities, but also significantly different from the BAIDI Type-B (also known as the “White Emperor”), a completely fictional “space fighter” design that China Aviation Industry (AVIC) is on display at 2024 Zhuhai Airshow.
Comparison of the fuzzy J-20-style “shapes” that have been attracted to the 2022 remote lintao air base in the north-central region. However, the structure of the wings of the wings and the nose of the Ginin object is very different from the structure of the objects seen on Lintao, which may also be imitation or deception.
The still unknown “shape” seen at Lintao Air Force Base in 2022. Photo ©2022 Planet Labs Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission
A side-by-side comparison of one of the lintao “shapes” and the object that appears in jingle. Google Earth
Now, the video is also on tour on social media, raising questions about whether another new advanced Chinese military aircraft has emerged. Given the distance of the aircraft in the video and its overall quality, what can be collected from the video is limited. Its origin is not clear. What can be seen does not immediately align directly with any known Chinese design. Its overall shape is also not suitable for the still-unknown Taillless fighter fuselage that appeared in Shenyang’s main factory in January, which twz It is the first report.
According to reports, China is testing a third platform in China based on the latest visuals that appear on social media.
The aircraft appears to be different from the two previously known tail table designs currently being tested.
It’s too early to… pic.twitter.com/9ssfohpsai
– International Defense Analysis (@defence_ida) April 23, 2025
At the same time, this is almost not the first time that new high-end Chinese aircraft designs have suddenly appeared. The dramatic appearance of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 on December 26 last year is a good example.
Continuous testing of the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 is certainly continuing to reveal new details about these designs. We have previously predicted that reasonable high-resolution images of the two aircraft will be consistent with the past pattern of rolling “leaks” in China.
If other advanced Chinese military aircraft are now flying or otherwise entering the latter stage of development, other details are likely to begin to emerge.
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