China's J-50 Blasts By US In Race For Sixth-Gen Dominance

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They note that twin thrust-vectoring nozzles enhance maneuverability, compensating for the design drawbacks associated with the heavy load. Although they say it is unclear whether the J-50 is a manned or unmanned aircraft, the unclear canopy details suggest a possible manned operation.

Newdick and Rogoway add that the J-50's complex trailing edge control arrangements underscore the design's focus on agility. Despite reduced low observability, they point out that the J-50 reflects bold trade-offs that favor control superiority.

These design features may allow the J-50 to offer superior agility and enhanced maneuverability in close-in engagements, allowing it to operate effectively within enemy air defense bubbles.

However, in a 2015 Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment (CSBA) report , John Stillion mentions that aerial combat has shifted decisively from close-range dogfighting to engagements beyond visual range (BVR), mainly due to advances in sensors, weapons and communications.

Stillion says that radar-guided and infrared missiles have supplanted guns as the primary air-to-air weapons, enabling pilots to strike from dozens of kilometers away without visual contact. Consequently, he points out that maneuvering air combat is now considered high-risk and increasingly obsolete.

Posing a counterargument to Stillion's views, Alex Hollings mentions in a May 2022 article for 1945 that historical data, such as Desert Storm, reveal that even with superior technology and situational awareness, nearly 40% of air engagements got within visual range, with some requiring traditional dogfighting maneuvers.

Hollings mentions that technological limitations, human error and chaotic combat environments can force close-range engagements. He says in large-scale conflicts, the sheer volume of aircraft and operational complexity make dogfights inevitable.

He adds that while stealth and long-range capabilities dominate strategy, the unpredictability of war ensures that dogfighting skills remain indispensable.

Alongside the J-36, the J-50 may suggest that China is pursuing a high-low force mix for its next-generation fighters. In this mix, larger, more expensive and more capable aircraft are paired with smaller, cheaper and less capable models.

A high-end fighter in a high-low force mix could be optimized for penetrating defended enemy airspace, requiring stealth, range and heavy armament.

In line with this, Bill Sweetman mentions in a December 2024 article for The Strategist that the J-36's all-aspect stealth is achieved through a tailless configuration, unbroken edge lines and concealed sensor apertures, thereby minimizing its radar cross-section.

Sweetman notes that the J-36's double-delta wing design allows for a large fuel capacity, enabling extended-range missions. Additionally, he says that the J-36, equipped with three engines, is optimized for supersonic cruise without afterburners, enhancing efficiency and reducing thermal signatures.

In contrast, a low-end fighter may be less capable overall and designed to operate within contested airspace rather than penetrating defended airspace. The J-50, with its purported emphasis on maneuverability for close-in fighting, may reflect that philosophy.

However, the J-36 and J-50 are still prototypes, forcing China to rely on the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter, which could be the high-end fighter of China's current in-service fighter fleet , with around 200-250 units already built as of 2023 .

At the strategic level, the J-36 and J-50 could put China ahead of the US in the race for sixth-generation fighters. In contrast, the US Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform is still in the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase.

Highlighting this contrast, Abraham Abrams mentions in a January 2025 Aviation Geek Club article that China's J-20 stealth fighter advanced from flight demonstrator to frontline service in just six years, in contrast to the US F-22 and F-35, which have taken 15 to 20 years.