The skies are alive with the competition of fighter aircraft, where single-engine stealth jets have long dominated the battlefield. However, China has embarked on a new chapter with its sixth-generation fighter jet, the J-36, which features an intriguing three-engine configuration. This development invites a closer look at the mysteries it holds.
On December 27, the J-36 took to the skies at the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation’s factory airfield, the very same facility that produced China’s fifth-generation J-20 fighter. The J-36 showcases a triangular design with wings, but notably lacks a vertical tail. This stealth fighter is equipped with three meticulously designed engines that enable it to evade radar detection.
The WS-10 engines, developed in China, produce an impressive thrust of 15 tons, albeit slightly less than their American counterparts. The total weight of the J-36 is estimated to be around 50 tons.
Speculation suggests that the jet employs three WS-10 engines, allowing the J-36 to carry heavy munitions while achieving hypersonic speeds. The use of three engines marks a significant shift in design philosophy for fighter jets; Chinese manufacturers assert that the sheer power required for this aircraft cannot be met with just two WS-10 engines.
The J-36 is not merely a fighter jet; it represents an ambitious attempt to reshape the landscape of modern warfare on a global scale. As this remarkable aircraft takes to the skies, it challenges conventional notions of aerial combat and heralds a new era in military aviation.
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