Fresh footage shows Shenyang's J-50 flight testing in parallel with Chengdu's J-36

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (AVIC)/J-50 (Shenyang sixth-generation fighter)

New footage and photos linked to Shenyang's facilities showed the J-50 still flying in 2026. China appears to be testing two different next-generation fighters at once, the smaller twin-engine J-50 and the larger three-engine J-36, an unusual parallel approach. Beijing still has not officially acknowledged the program.

• Tailless twin-engine design, no vertical fins or canards.
• Observers believe it is aimed partly at carrier operations; unconfirmed.
• 'J-50' is an unofficial name used by observers.
• Only spotter and social-media imagery exists, no official photos.