J-36: Assessing China’s New Generation Combat Aircraft

[u/Steve____Stifler]

https://thediplomat.com/2024/12/j-36-assessing-chinas-new-generation-combat-aircraft/

The J-36, which made its maiden flight in Chengdu on December 26, 2024, is China's new stealthy combat aircraft featuring a three-engine flying wing design. While some debate its role, credible sources indicate it's primarily an air superiority platform emphasizing long range, enhanced stealth, and advanced networking capabilities for commanding unmanned systems. The aircraft represents an evolution in aerial warfare design, focusing on beyond-visual-range combat rather than traditional fighter characteristics, though many technical details remain unknown.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[u/quickblur]

I hope this serves as a wake up call. China is racing ahead with their military development. They placed an order for a MILLION kamikaze drones.

[u/savuporo → u/quickblur]

China is racing ahead with their military development

Not just military

I have it on good authority that they aren't stealing Amtrak designs no more

[u/ProfessionalCreme119 → u/quickblur]

While 1 million does sound impressive I don't know why he isn't ordering 10 million.

Zelensky was saying that they expect over the next year that Ukraine will be producing 1 million drones or more. So I would imagine 1 million Kamikaze drones would be something China could turn out in a month.

[u/jcoguy33 → u/ProfessionalCreme119]

That’s just one company disclosing the information so could be a lot more.

[u/socialistrob → u/ProfessionalCreme119]

Also given how important they are in Ukraine and how no one really had big stock piles from years prior it would make sense that China would be putting in some big orders for them.

[u/ruapirate → u/quickblur]

Source on the million drone order? I’m curious to read about it

[u/Loud-Chemistry-5056 → u/ruapirate]

There isn’t a reliable source for it, but there was an article about it where the source is the author is pretty much saying ‘trust me bro’.

Edit: https://defence-blog.com/china-places-massive-order-for-kamikaze-drones/?amp

[u/socialistrob → u/Loud-Chemistry-5056]

I wouldn't be too surprised if it's true. Kamikaze drones can be very cheap and we've seen in Ukraine that they are incredibly useful. For a country with the second largest economy in the world and largest population 1 million kamikaze drones is a pretty reasonable figure. I don't think anyone would bat an eye if China ordered 1 million artillery shells and cheap drones are often times about the same cost or potentially cheaper.

[u/Loud-Chemistry-5056 → u/socialistrob]

I don’t think that most of the ones being used in Ukraine wouldn’t be any use to China. Their range is far too low. The ones that would be used would be significantly more expensive.

The ones that would be of use aren’t being used in as large numbers in Ukraine. IIRC, only 6,000 Shahed-136 have been used in the entire conflict. Sure China would probably benefit from economies of scale to drive down the price, but a million of these drones would sure be something.

They probably are procuring large numbers of drones, but I don’t see clear evidence for the 1 million kamakazi drone claim.

[u/Big_Migger69 → u/quickblur]

triple the defense budget

[u/altacan → u/quickblur]

The million red drones of Chairman Xi.

[u/IllConstruction3450]

I am not buying the noncredibledefense types that overhype America and downplay non-American weapons platforms. 

[u/Master_Assistant_898]

I have heard enough, 500 trillions to the MIC it is

[u/GogurtFiend]

We'll still be hearing about cHiNeSiUm and tOfU dReGs from the usual suspects

[u/m741863]

Another 500 trillion