China has so many of these things in development at the moment (CH-7, GH-X, H-20, J-36, J-50, JH-XX, WZ-X...) that I can't keep track of them all. Can anyone more in-the-know than me summarize each?
J-36: 3-engined tailless aircraft thought to be a 6th Gen strike fighter of similar role to the Su-34
The strike fighter hoax will never die, huh? It's a long range air superiority fighter, following the principle of air dominance laid out by the chief designer at CAC in his papers where he described the most crucial attributes for maintaining air superiority in the future to be power generation (thus three engines) and network centric systems (thus a second crew member and a multitude of sensors).
It's an air warfare cruiser intended to coordinate lesser aircraft and supply them with useful data to complement their own picture of the battlefield. While also being able to take action itself through the use of very long range air to air missiles which are to be carried internally.
Think of it as a flying Ticonderoga-Class cruiser which coordinates air warfare operations with lesser destroyers in a formation. In this case the J-36 is the cruiser with the powerful radar, sensor package and means to coordinate formations, while previous generation fighters and drones are like destroyers and frigates who are directed by this cruiser/aircraft.
This aircraft follows an interpretation of the future of air warfare that's also shared by the USAF (network centric, power generation heavy, sensor laden, high value manned "quarterbacks" directing less capable aircraft), just that we can see it in the flesh (well, composites and metal) with the J-36 and possibly taken to the extreme. We have no clear idea about F-47 yet which has similar goals but will most likely differ in execution.
The J-50/J-XD/J-XDS or whatever it's called however is much more tangible for the average observer because it fits the mold of what most imagine a next generation fighter to be, which is a fighter like a 5th generation aircraft but with improved all aspect stealth characteristics, bigger radar etc. It's easier to grasp for people unfamiliar with the matter, because it's extremely conventional all things considered. Same with FCAS and GCAP which are just generic fighter jets at first glance.
H-20: flying wing stealth bomber that seems to be in development hell because we haven't heard any news in a looooong time...
Why development hell? GJ-X is the size of a B-21 and WZ-X has almost the wingspan of a B-2… also, what makes you so sure it’s a flying wing?
J-36: 3-engined tailless aircraft thought to be a 6th Gen strike fighter of similar role to the Su-34
Nooooooo. It’s Penetrating Counter Air (PCA), it’s what some would call the “pure” vision of 6th gen air combat. The USAF even said they think “it’s for air superiority” in a direct quote. I reckon the larger NGAD that Lockheed pitched was of a similar philosophy to the J-36, some of the concept CGIs definitely are.
J-50: tailless single-seat fighter with moving hinged wingtips
I’m not sure if hinged is the closest term here. All-moving wingtips (AMTs) is what’s usually used. Hinged makes it sound like they droop.
GJ-X is the size of a B-21 and WZ-X has almost the wingspan of a B-2…
Size isn't the only factor in aircraft development. I'm aware those UCAVs are massive.
also, what makes you so sure it’s a flying wing?
That's pretty much the only info we know about it.
It’s Penetrating Counter Air (PCA), it’s what some would call the “pure” vision of 6th gen air combat. The USAF even said they think “it’s for air superiority” in a direct quote.
Key word: think. We don't know for sure. You could be right, but for now it's all speculative. Furthermore the side-by-side seating leans towards a more multi-role platform than pure air superiority. But again, this is all speculative.
All-moving wingtips (AMTs) is what’s usually used.
Yeah that's what I meant, thanks for the correction!
The J-36 is a weird one. We can pretty much discount the idea that it is a Su-34 style strike fighter though. It's IWBs aren't big enough, especially given China's infatuation with big standoff munitions (and in those cases other platforms could do the job better, like the drone in the video, for instance), and it would be a complete waste of a VERY expensive airframe for something like CAS.
Granted, it is probably "multirole" in the sense that it could carry bombs, and AGMs, but from what every credible PLA-watcher/insider is saying, it's focus is air-to-air (actually it's role is often said to be a command node, like a cross between an AWACs and a fighter, but like you said, time will tell).
CH-7 : likely an export product, pitched as an ISR UAV with strike capability. PLA hasn’t procured it, CH (Rainbow) is the manufacturers product name.
GH-X : what’s this? If you mean GJ-X (Gongji / attack) which is in this post, then it is intended as an unmanned heavy bomber in some missions (with a manned plane escorting or otherwise), and in others, essentially as the H-20’s CCA. It’s the size of a B-21 Raider. (You have made me realise that they might need a new naming designation for this, the PLA doesn’t have a prefix for ‘unmanned’, and “attack” kinda undersells it, maybe it’s GJH-X lol).
H-20 : strategic bomber. Stay tuned.
J-36 : 6th generation air dominance fighter
J-50 : 6th generation air superiority fighter. It may get a carrier spinoff, but recent speculation suggests the naval 6th gen contract doesn’t have a winner yet.
JH-XX : supersonic medium bomber, possibly canceled. My favourite of China’s airforce projects, but it would be… almost frivolous, to continue pursuing it at the moment.
WZ-X : unmanned heavy / large UAV. Wingspan almost the same length as the B-2 Spirit. Intended for long duration / distance ISR in some missions, and in others, essentially as the H-20’s CCA.
To add to my earlier comment, have just completed a deep dive into the evolution of stealth. Enjoy the read! https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/10/22/the-theory-of-stealth/
Have done a piece on lambda wings and all moving wingtips. Enjoy the read. https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/10/02/lambda-wings-moving-wingtips-flying-wings-part-3/
Thank you! This is actually part 3 of a three part series tracing the evolution of flying wings. Here is part one. The link to part two blended wing bodies is at the end of part one. Enjoy these reads too! https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/09/13/the-evolution-of-the-flying-wing-part-one/
subnautthrowaway777@reddit
China has so many of these things in development at the moment (CH-7, GH-X, H-20, J-36, J-50, JH-XX, WZ-X...) that I can't keep track of them all. Can anyone more in-the-know than me summarize each?
9999AWC@reddit
H-20: flying wing stealth bomber that seems to be in development hell because we haven't heard any news in a looooong time...
J-36: 3-engined tailless aircraft thought to be a 6th Gen strike fighter of similar role to the Su-34
J-50: tailless single-seat fighter with moving hinged wingtips
That's all I know from the list.
DefinitelyNotAMeanie@reddit
The strike fighter hoax will never die, huh? It's a long range air superiority fighter, following the principle of air dominance laid out by the chief designer at CAC in his papers where he described the most crucial attributes for maintaining air superiority in the future to be power generation (thus three engines) and network centric systems (thus a second crew member and a multitude of sensors).
It's an air warfare cruiser intended to coordinate lesser aircraft and supply them with useful data to complement their own picture of the battlefield. While also being able to take action itself through the use of very long range air to air missiles which are to be carried internally.
Think of it as a flying Ticonderoga-Class cruiser which coordinates air warfare operations with lesser destroyers in a formation. In this case the J-36 is the cruiser with the powerful radar, sensor package and means to coordinate formations, while previous generation fighters and drones are like destroyers and frigates who are directed by this cruiser/aircraft.
This aircraft follows an interpretation of the future of air warfare that's also shared by the USAF (network centric, power generation heavy, sensor laden, high value manned "quarterbacks" directing less capable aircraft), just that we can see it in the flesh (well, composites and metal) with the J-36 and possibly taken to the extreme. We have no clear idea about F-47 yet which has similar goals but will most likely differ in execution.
The J-50/J-XD/J-XDS or whatever it's called however is much more tangible for the average observer because it fits the mold of what most imagine a next generation fighter to be, which is a fighter like a 5th generation aircraft but with improved all aspect stealth characteristics, bigger radar etc. It's easier to grasp for people unfamiliar with the matter, because it's extremely conventional all things considered. Same with FCAS and GCAP which are just generic fighter jets at first glance.
Delicious_Lab_8304@reddit
Why development hell? GJ-X is the size of a B-21 and WZ-X has almost the wingspan of a B-2… also, what makes you so sure it’s a flying wing?
Nooooooo. It’s Penetrating Counter Air (PCA), it’s what some would call the “pure” vision of 6th gen air combat. The USAF even said they think “it’s for air superiority” in a direct quote. I reckon the larger NGAD that Lockheed pitched was of a similar philosophy to the J-36, some of the concept CGIs definitely are.
I’m not sure if hinged is the closest term here. All-moving wingtips (AMTs) is what’s usually used. Hinged makes it sound like they droop.
9999AWC@reddit
I literally said why.
Size isn't the only factor in aircraft development. I'm aware those UCAVs are massive.
That's pretty much the only info we know about it.
Key word: think. We don't know for sure. You could be right, but for now it's all speculative. Furthermore the side-by-side seating leans towards a more multi-role platform than pure air superiority. But again, this is all speculative.
Yeah that's what I meant, thanks for the correction!
ElectronicHistory320@reddit
The J-36 is a weird one. We can pretty much discount the idea that it is a Su-34 style strike fighter though. It's IWBs aren't big enough, especially given China's infatuation with big standoff munitions (and in those cases other platforms could do the job better, like the drone in the video, for instance), and it would be a complete waste of a VERY expensive airframe for something like CAS.
Granted, it is probably "multirole" in the sense that it could carry bombs, and AGMs, but from what every credible PLA-watcher/insider is saying, it's focus is air-to-air (actually it's role is often said to be a command node, like a cross between an AWACs and a fighter, but like you said, time will tell).
tigeryi98@reddit
You can see my post 1 month ago but mostly the UAV
https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdWings/s/TLQshEcq1t
Delicious_Lab_8304@reddit
CH-7 : likely an export product, pitched as an ISR UAV with strike capability. PLA hasn’t procured it, CH (Rainbow) is the manufacturers product name.
GH-X : what’s this? If you mean GJ-X (Gongji / attack) which is in this post, then it is intended as an unmanned heavy bomber in some missions (with a manned plane escorting or otherwise), and in others, essentially as the H-20’s CCA. It’s the size of a B-21 Raider. (You have made me realise that they might need a new naming designation for this, the PLA doesn’t have a prefix for ‘unmanned’, and “attack” kinda undersells it, maybe it’s GJH-X lol).
H-20 : strategic bomber. Stay tuned.
J-36 : 6th generation air dominance fighter
J-50 : 6th generation air superiority fighter. It may get a carrier spinoff, but recent speculation suggests the naval 6th gen contract doesn’t have a winner yet.
JH-XX : supersonic medium bomber, possibly canceled. My favourite of China’s airforce projects, but it would be… almost frivolous, to continue pursuing it at the moment.
WZ-X : unmanned heavy / large UAV. Wingspan almost the same length as the B-2 Spirit. Intended for long duration / distance ISR in some missions, and in others, essentially as the H-20’s CCA.
aviationevangelist@reddit
To add to my earlier comment, have just completed a deep dive into the evolution of stealth. Enjoy the read! https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/10/22/the-theory-of-stealth/
aviationevangelist@reddit
Have done a piece on lambda wings and all moving wingtips. Enjoy the read. https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/10/02/lambda-wings-moving-wingtips-flying-wings-part-3/
luvsads@reddit
Awesome blog, thanks for sharing
aviationevangelist@reddit
Thank you! This is actually part 3 of a three part series tracing the evolution of flying wings. Here is part one. The link to part two blended wing bodies is at the end of part one. Enjoy these reads too! https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/09/13/the-evolution-of-the-flying-wing-part-one/
aviationevangelist@reddit
Here is part two the blended body wing. https://theaviationevangelist.com/2025/09/19/the-flying-wing-part-two-the-blended-wing-body/
tigeryi98@reddit
Great read
9999AWC@reddit
FYI this UCAV is larger than the B-21 Raider
Thusfffbogsehbse@reddit
How do u know that?
9999AWC@reddit
People use satellite imagery to compare the sizes. Not a perfect measuring technique but still quite accurate for a general idea.
Thusfffbogsehbse@reddit
They found a picture of it on the runway?
tigeryi98@reddit
Yeah I post it 1 month ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdWings/s/TLQshEcq1t
9999AWC@reddit
Yes. It was posted on this sub IIRC, but otherwise you can look up "GJ-X UCAV size" on Google and you'll see comparisons.
tigeryi98@reddit
Not sure if I post it here in this sub, but that was my post lots of pictures doing size comparison
PanzerKomadant@reddit
Crazy that this thing is larger than a B-21….and it’s a drone….
Key-Sir1108@reddit
I watched this with bated breath, waiting for the wings to start flapping!!
Intelligent-Donut-10@reddit
America: We're going to have B-21 control a fleet of drones
China: We're going to have H-20 control a fleet of B-21 sized drone bombers.
Hot-Section1805@reddit
with that kind of obnoxious sound, the enemy can hear it even before it is on the radar screens :-)
hippitybobbityty@reddit
This vibe
FireFangJ36@reddit
Malan Giant Eagle