A number of pictures displaying what seems to be the second prototype of the J-36 heavy fighter have began circulating on-line.
A number of pictures displaying what seems to be the second prototype of the J-36 heavy fighter have began circulating on-line. The second airframe appears to retain the core configuration of its predecessor, such because the intensive management surfaces on the aft of its fuselage and its signature three engines, whereas introducing a number of notable refinements starting from consumption geometry to touchdown gear configuration.
The pictures of the second prototype come simply over 10 months after the primary, whose pictures began circulating on Dec. 26, 2024.
Because it appears, the rumoured 2nd J-36 prototype was lastly revealed displaying some fascinating modifications:
1. the aspect intakes are revised (now a DSI (?), previously caret)2. redesign essential touchdown gear (now two wheels aspect by aspect quite than tandem).3. exhausts seems like TCV pic.twitter.com/qK63434yiS
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 28, 2025
It’s doable that the second prototype is exploring various configurations, quite than committing in the direction of a last design. Nonetheless, some observers on Chinese language social media have hinted that this second prototype is extra consultant of the particular last product and that the primary was extra possible an idea demonstrator.
Structural variations
Visually, the obvious change of the brand new airframe is the engine’s nozzles. The primary prototype had a trough-like nozzle association oriented in the direction of a extra stealthy, blended-exhaust method, very like those of the Northrop YF-23 that competed within the ATF (Superior Tactical Fighter) program.
The second prototype as a substitute adopts a F-22 type nozzle, showing to be extra 2D-TVC (Thrust Vectoring Management) oriented. If the ultimate answer goes to be full 2D TVC for all three of the plane’s engines, it’s possible that they’re prepared to compromise a sure diploma of stealthiness for larger maneuverability and management.
Some extra … pic.twitter.com/UfIcgEOUWj
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 28, 2025
As well as, the configuration of the aspect intakes appears to have been modified from the caret-shaped ones on the primary prototype. The plane as a substitute adopted DSIs (Diverterless Supersonic Inlets) and even doubtlessly a in-between of a DSI and Caret intakes, like that of Shenyang’s Subsequent-Technology fighter.
The photographs of the second prototype don’t provide sufficient element to see the attribute ‘bump’ of a DSI inside the consumption, and thus verify that the jet now options three DSIs. Nonetheless, the ahead sweep on the consumption positively exhibits {that a} change has been made on its geometry.
Thus far, there have been no pictures displaying the topside of the second J-36, though it may be assumed that it nonetheless retains the third DSI on high of the fuselage for the third engine. There’s nonetheless no affirmation on what engines the J-36s has been utilizing.
Suspected 2nd J-36 prototype.As rumoured, some modifications seen, notably refined aspect intakes (DSIs? I at all times felt the carets on 1st prototype had been a bit short-term…) and revised essential touchdown gear (two wheels twin quite than tandem).
Nonetheless seems like 3 engines. pic.twitter.com/UykODCpInT
— Rick Joe (@RickJoe_PLA) October 28, 2025
The third main change that’s identifiable from the brand new pictures is the primary touchdown gear configuration. The 2 wheels on the brand new airframe’s essential gears are organized in a parallel style, whereas it was organized in a tandem style (like that of the Su-34) on the primary prototype. This modification might doubtlessly permit for more room contained in the plane’s weapon bays.
The brand new airframe is, after all, unlikely to be absolutely consultant of what a last manufacturing variant might appear to be. Earlier plane just like the J-20 additionally advanced considerably from its authentic prototype earlier than getting into serial manufacturing.
