China’s sixth-generation stealth fighters—J-36 and J-XDS—have now been spotted together at a secretive test base near Lop Nur, confirming rapid progress in Beijing’s military aviation program. Satellite images from August and September 2025 reveal both aircraft parked at a facility with a 3,000-meter runway, suggesting active testing and deployment preparation.
In a major leap for defense technology, China’s two sixth-generation stealth fighter prototypes—the J-36 and J-XDS—have appeared together at a remote airbase near the Lop Nur nuclear test site.
This marks the first time both aircraft have been observed outside their manufacturing facilities, according to satellite imagery obtained by Planet Labs and analyzed by The War Zone.
The J-36, distinguishable by its large delta wing and splinter camouflage, was captured in images dated August 27, 2025. The J-XDS, with a sleeker, tailless design, appeared in a separate image taken on September 13, 2025.
Both jets were parked on the central apron of a facility believed to be China’s equivalent of Area 51—a rapidly expanding base with a 3,000-meter runway and multiple hangars.
Strategic Leap in Airpower
These sightings come amid China’s push to close the technology gap with the West. Sixth-generation fighters are expected to feature AI-assisted flight, drone swarm coordination, and advanced stealth capabilities.
The J-36 reportedly underwent its first public flight in late 2024, escorted by a J-20 chase plane, and has since been described by military analysts as “one of the most advanced aircraft ever built”.
China's Sixth-Gen J-36 Fighter Jet Spotted Flying Alongside the Fifth-Gen J-20
Footage from October 31, 2025, shows China’s experimental J-36 stealth jet flying with a J-20S, signaling integrated testing between fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. The J-36 appears as a… pic.twitter.com/85h31ZSOuc
— The GEOSTRATA (@TheGeostrata) November 4, 2025
Defense expert Rupprecht Deino noted that the second J-36 prototype includes major design changes to its nozzles, inlets, and undercarriage, indicating rapid iteration and refinement.
“China is clearly signaling that it won’t be left behind in the race for next-gen airpower,” said Dr. Marcus Lee, a senior analyst at the Asia-Pacific Security Forum. “The simultaneous appearance of both jets reflects a high level of confidence in their R&D pipeline.”
What the Numbers Say
China’s defense budget for 2025 is estimated at $230 billion, second only to the United States.
The J-36 and J-XDS are part of a broader sixth-gen program expected to cost over $20 billion through 2030.
The Lop Nur base has expanded by 40% in the last two years, with new runways and hangars added for prototype testing.
These developments suggest China may aim to deploy operational sixth-generation fighters by the early 2030s, reshaping the balance of airpower in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
