The Chengdu J-36 is the speculated designation of a tailless military aircraft being developed and tested by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIC). On 26 December 2024, two technology demonstrator aircraft took flight in China, presumed by Chinese netizens to be sixth-generation fighters, one of which was designed by CAIC, were allegedly spotted conducting test flights in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Since the aircraft's serial number (36001) begins with '36,' following the People's Liberation Army Air Force convention, this model is presumably designated as the "J-36", but further confirmation is needed.^[1]

In October 2017, China Central Television reported that the development of China's sixth-generation fighter jets had already begun. J-20 chief engineer Yang Wei stated that the design of China's sixth-generation fighter jets "will surpass the wildest imagination of science fiction movies."^[2] According to a special report, terahertz (wave length 30μm-3mm) radars capable of detecting and countering fifth-generation stealth fighters are a mandatory feature, as current fifth-generation aircraft are only stealthy within specific frequency bands^[3]. At the same time, sixth-generation jets will feature full-spectrum stealth and capabilities such as airframe transformation.^{[citation needed]} Additionally, a dedicated institution for sixth-generation fighter jets has been established in Shenyang, complete with the necessary material base and specialized automated design systems to support the research for this project.^{[citation needed]}

On 26 December 2024, a video was captured by local residents near Chengdu allegedly showing a tailless aircraft (bearing the number 36001 or 3601) conducting a test flight, accompanied by a J-20 technology demonstrator.^[1][4] Choosing 26 December for the public flight demonstration is widely regarded as a tribute to former CCP Chairman Mao Zedong on his birthday.^[5][6]