Key Points and Summary – The United States and China are locked in a sixth-generation fighter race between Boeing’s F-47 and Chengdu’s J-36.
-The F-47 is a tailless, twin-engine stealth “quarterback” built to command drones and dominate contested airspace, trading bulk for extreme low observability and range.
NGAD Lockheed Martin Photo.
China’s J-36, by contrast, is a large trijet flying-wing optimized for range, payload, and a battle-manager role, with a side-by-side cockpit and heavy internal bays.
-While the F-47 remains in prototype assembly with first flight expected in 2028, the J-36 has already flown multiple prototypes, giving Beijing an apparent timing edge—though not necessarily a qualitative one.
F-47 vs J-36: Who’s Really Winning the Sixth-Generation Fighter Race?
The race towards an operational sixth-generation fighter jet is currently in full swing between the U.S. and China.
The U.S. is currently developing its F-47 fighter as the successor to the NGAD project. Designed and built by Boeing, the F-47 is the successor to the F-22 Raptor and is intended to serve as the U.S.’s new air dominance fighter of the future.
Meanwhile, China is working on its J-36 sixth-generation fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
Both aircraft have been shrouded in secrecy, so information about the programs is hard to obtain. Based on what we do have, what can we determine about the development status of these two aircraft?
Design Philosophies
The F-47’s design has not yet been fully revealed.
Based on official renderings, the aircraft features a tailless stealth configuration with canard surfaces, optimized for aerodynamic efficiency and reduced radar signature.
It is a twin-engine aircraft that leverages adaptive cycle propulsion for both high thrust and fuel efficiency.
NGAD F-47 Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
This design emphasizes extreme stealth, modular adaptability, and integration with autonomous drones known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). Its primary role is air dominance, with secondary deep-strike capability.
In contrast, the J-36 employs a tailless, diamond-double-delta flying wing configuration powered by three engines, which is a radical choice aimed at achieving massive thrust and endurance.
This trijet layout supports heavy payloads and long-range missions, positioning the J-36 as a multi-role platform capable of air superiority, strike, and airborne command-and-control.
Its side-by-side cockpit suggests a “battle manager” role, where one crew member pilots while the other orchestrates electronic warfare and drone operations. In short, the F-47 prioritizes stealth and agility for contested airspace control, while the J-36 sacrifices some stealth for range, payload, and versatility.
Power Plant and Stealth Systems
Very little is known about the F-47’s propulsion system. It is expected to use a variable-cycle engine developed by Pratt & Whitney as part of the NGAP program, little else is known about the development of its powerplant.
As per official releases, the aircraft will have a top speed of above Mach 2 and will more than likely be able to achieve supercruise.
What has been officially confirmed is that the F-47 will have a combat radius of more than 1,000 nautical miles, almost double that of the F-22.
The J-36’s powerplant is also unknown, with some speculating that WS-15 engines power it. Its three-engine setup provides extraordinary climb rates and maneuverability, though at the cost of complexity and weight. Analysts estimate its speed at Mach 2.5 or higher, with a combat radius approaching 3,000 kilometers, although these are still rumors.
NGAD. Image Credit: Creative Commons
Stealth and survivability remain critical for both aircraft. The F-47 features advanced shaping, radar-absorbing materials, and infrared suppression, with a radar cross-section expected to be lower than that of the F-22.
According to official information, the aircraft will feature “significantly more stealth… than our current fifth generation fighters,” though the practical details on these new systems have not been shared.
The J-36’s tailless design and blended wing-body architecture reduce radar signature, though its triple engine exhausts ports pose a few concerns.
Serrated nozzles and diverterless supersonic intakes help mitigate infrared and radar detection.
Both aircraft are expected to feature low RCS, but thanks to the U.S. experience with stealth aircraft, it is safe to assume that the F-47’s RCS will be lower than the J-36’s.
It’s All About Automation
The avionics of both aircraft are unknown to the public, but they are expected to receive next-generation sensors and radar systems.
It is safe to assume that both will receive long-range AESA radars, ISRT systems, EW suites, electro-optical systems, and much more.
Both aircraft are likely to have sophisticated sensor-fusion systems that enhance pilot awareness and automated systems that reduce pilot workload and shorten decision-making time.
The F-47 will be able to command loyal wingman unmanned systems as a command node. The J-36 will likely have similar features, but no such capabilities have been confirmed.
Both aircraft are expected (confirmed in the J-36’s case) to feature internal weapons bays.
J-36 Fighter from X Screenshot. Image Credit: X Screenshot.
Without seeing the design and size measurements of the F-47, it is hard to judge how large its payload will be, but it is safe to assume it will be able to launch the most advanced air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground missiles.
Because the J-36 is larger, it is safe to say it will have a larger overall payload and carrying capacity than the F-47, given their differing roles.
Where Are They in Development?
Under the NGAD program, Boeing was awarded the prime contract in March 2025, and the prototype is confirmed to be under construction as of September 2025.
X-plane demonstrators have flown since 2019, and the first flight of the F-47 is targeted for 2028, with operational entry expected in the early 2030s. Engine development and cost overruns remain hurdles.
The J-36, on the other hand, has already achieved its first public flight in December 2024. Multiple prototypes have been tested through 2025, with significant design refinements, including thrust-vectoring nozzles and intake redesigns.
Analysts predict service entry by 2030, possibly earlier if China accelerates production. This gives China a visible head start in the sixth-generation race.
J-36 Fighter from China. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Strategically, the United States envisions the F-47 as part of a system-of-systems approach, pairing manned fighters with autonomous CCAs for distributed lethality.
Its doctrine emphasizes air dominance in highly contested environments, leveraging stealth, and networked warfare.
China, by contrast, sees the J-36 as a tool for anti-access/area-denial strategies, acting as a long-range strike and command platform to challenge U.S. carrier groups and bases in the Indo-Pacific.
Its design prioritizes range, payload, and multi-role flexibility, reflecting China’s focus on regional power projection.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
