A number of photos exhibiting what seems to be the second prototype of the J-36 heavy fighter have began circulating on-line.
A number of photos exhibiting 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 in depth 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 photos began circulating on Dec. 26, 2024.
Because it appears, the rumoured 2nd J-36 prototype was lastly revealed exhibiting some attention-grabbing adjustments:
1. the facet intakes are revised (now a DSI (?), previously caret)2. redesign major touchdown gear (now two wheels facet by facet somewhat than tandem).3. exhausts seems to be like TCV pic.twitter.com/qK63434yiS
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 28, 2025
It’s attainable that the second prototype is exploring different configurations, somewhat than committing in the direction of a remaining design. Nevertheless, some observers on Chinese language social media have hinted that this second prototype is extra consultant of the particular remaining product and that the primary was extra doubtless 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 strategy, 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 model 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 doubtless that they’re keen to compromise a sure diploma of stealthiness for higher maneuverability and management.
Some extra … pic.twitter.com/UfIcgEOUWj
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 28, 2025
As well as, the configuration of the facet 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 probably a in-between of a DSI and Caret intakes, like that of Shenyang’s Subsequent-Era fighter.
The pictures of the second prototype don’t provide sufficient element to see the attribute ‘bump’ of a DSI inside the consumption, and thus affirm that the jet now options three DSIs. Nevertheless, the ahead sweep on the consumption positively exhibits {that a} change has been made on its geometry.
Thus far, there have been no pictures exhibiting 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 adjustments seen, notably refined facet intakes (DSIs? I all the time felt the carets on 1st prototype have been a bit momentary…) and revised major touchdown gear (two wheels twin somewhat than tandem).
Nonetheless seems to be 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 photos is the principle touchdown gear configuration. The 2 wheels on the brand new airframe’s major gears are organized in a parallel vogue, whereas it was organized in a tandem vogue (like that of the Su-34) on the primary prototype. This modification might probably 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 remaining manufacturing variant could seem like. Earlier plane just like the J-20 additionally developed considerably from its unique prototype earlier than getting into serial manufacturing.
