What do we know so far about China’s advanced J-36 and J-50 fighter jets?

China’s two next generation stealth fighter jets – known as the Chengdu J-36 and the Shenyang J-50 – stunned the world when they seemingly emerged out of nowhere on December 26 last year.

Over the past six months, more sightings and the resulting images and witness reports have given us an increasing amount of detail about the two advanced and yet mysterious aircraft. Here is what we know about them so far – as well as some of what we do not.

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Chengdu J-36

Also nicknamed the “Gingko leaf” because of its shape, the name of this aircraft, developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC), has never been officially disclosed.

It is known as the J-36 because of the serial number “36011” that was painted on the prototype jet in the first images – similar to the initial J-20, which bore the number “2001”.

The J-36’s distinctive diamond shape derives from its delta wing platform design, which could greatly reduce air drag when the plane is cruising at high speed. The aircraft is also distinctively tailless – essential for radar evasion.

Other unique aerodynamic features include trailing edge control surfaces per wing and split flaps close to the wingtips. These configurations further streamline the airframe while making up for the loss of manoeuvrability.

South China Morning Post