An image circulating online appears to show the front of China’s J-36, a three-engine stealth aircraft built by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, with a side-by-side two-seat cockpit and internal weapons bays. The photo has not been confirmed, and researchers urged caution because several fake J-36 images have circulated.
A new image shared online in early June 2025 appears to show the front of China’s J-36, one of two next-generation combat aircraft that China has flown in recent months. According to The Aviationist, the photo was taken off a screen, first appeared on the Chinese internet and was then shared widely on X. It has not been confirmed by Chinese authorities.
If authentic, the image gives the clearest frontal view yet of the aircraft, which is built by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
A three-engine design
Most fighter jets have one or two engines. The J-36 has been described since its first public sightings as a three-engine design. The new image shows a dorsal intake on top of the fuselage that appears to be a diverterless supersonic intake, in addition to the intakes along the sides.
Some analysts have described the aircraft as a large, long-range platform, and The Aviationist notes it is sometimes referred to as a possible “regional bomber.” Its exact role has not been officially disclosed.
A side-by-side cockpit
The most notable detail in the image is the cockpit. It shows a split front canopy with a wide-angle head-up display in front of each of two seats placed side by side, rather than one behind the other as in most two-seat fighters.
The Aviationist described this as the most direct proof so far that the cockpit is designed for two crew members, if the photo is genuine. The outlet compared the layout to bombers such as the B-2 and B-21 and to strike aircraft such as the F-111 and Su-34.
Internal weapons bays
The image shows open bay doors under the aircraft: a larger central weapons bay flanked by two smaller side bays. Carrying weapons internally, as the U.S. F-22 and F-35 do, helps keep an aircraft’s radar signature low. The Aviationist noted that a view from below would still be needed to judge how deep the bays are and how much they can carry.
Size and testing
The leaked image does not give the aircraft’s dimensions. Earlier footage showed the J-36 on test flights, including a video from March 17, 2025, and an April 7, 2025, video of it landing at the Chengdu plant. Analysts say the aircraft appears to still be in early testing.
Is the image real?
The photo has not been verified. Andreas Rupprecht, a researcher who follows Chinese military aviation and reshared the image, urged caution, writing that “this one looks almost too good to be true,” and noting that many fake J-36 images had circulated recently.
The Aviationist suggested the steady release of images of China’s new aircraft may serve a broader purpose of showcasing Chinese technology. The outlet also noted that China still relies mainly on its existing fleet of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, such as the J-20, and that official details about the J-36’s systems may never be released.
Over the past two decades, China has moved from relying on imported and licensed aircraft to building its own stealth fighters, drones and carriers, and the J-36 program is the latest sign of that effort.
Source: The Aviationist
