Second Chengdu J-36 prototype flies with revised inlets, side‑by‑side gear and 2D TVC nozzles

Fresh images from Chinese social media show a second prototype of Chengdu's three‑engine J‑36 conducting test flights near CAC's Chengdu airfield roughly ten months after the first leak. The aircraft displays major changes — revised diverterless inlets, side‑by‑side main gear and three 2D thrust‑vectoring nozzles.

Discovered 2025-10-28T04:14:20.210672-07:00 | 2025-10-28T04:14:20.210672-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The appearance of a second three‑engine prototype ~10 months after the first leak provides a new, verifiable data point on the J‑36 test programme and visible design evolution (revised inlets, landing‑gear arrangement, 2D TVC nozzles).
  • The sighting adds to a growing public record of China’s advanced fighter activity, following other next‑generation prototypes such as the tailless J‑XDS prototype and recent stealth and UCAV disclosures.
  • Observable design shifts matter for capability and test infrastructure assessments and should be read alongside China’s expanding test capacity, including its transonic wind tunnel buildout and carrier/operational milestones such as the J‑35’s EMALS carrier launch.

Reported By

nationalsecurityjournal.org asiatimes.com zona-militar.com news.ssbcrack.com flugrevue.de FlightGlobal
Sources Tracked
10
First Seen
2025-10-28T04:14:20.210672-07:00
Latest Update
2025-11-03T07:27:52.928152-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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