When it comes to the competition between China and the United States in the aviation field, the situation is becoming increasingly clear. China has been taking frequent actions, while the United States keeps facing obstacles. Especially in late 2024, when China exposed the J-36 fighter jet, American media could not sit still. The website 1945 published article after article, directly pointing out that this matter is no simple affair.

The most terrifying thing is not the J-36 itself, but the leap in China's manufacturing capabilities, which threatens the leading position of the United States in the aviation field. Scenarios where China surpasses the United States are no longer new, from engines to drones, and even the entire industrial chain, the problems in American manufacturing have been fully exposed.

Let's start with the J-36 issue. On December 26, 2024, two new fighter jets were tested at the airport of Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group in China, known as the J-36 and J-50, directly classified as sixth-generation aircraft.

This is not copying old designs, but a complete original creation. The J-36 adopts a large delta wing layout, without vertical stabilizers, and its stealth coating and sensor fusion are quite advanced. On March 17, 25, and 26, 2025, it made several consecutive test flights, and on the 17th, it may have flown once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The Singaporean newspaper "Lianhe Zaobao" reported that this high-frequency appearance made the Pentagon clearly see the reality gap.

The website 1945 said in an article on March 26, 2025, that although the United States has already fallen behind in sixth-generation aircraft, it still needs to push forward the F-47 project, avoiding direct confrontation with China. The J-36 is large in size, with ample internal space, capable of carrying more weapons and fuel, with strong range and speed.

On April 9, they also reported that the U.S. Navy was about to announce the winner of the F/A-XX bid, but this was more about trying to regain some face. Once the low-altitude flight video of the J-36 was released, it directly shocked the U.S. Navy. On May 22, an article in 1945 stated that the J-36 might change the air combat landscape, becoming a nightmare for the U.S. stealth strategic bomber. It can not only intercept but also bomb, breaking the boundaries between traditional fighters and bombers.

Even more shocking is that on May 23, 1945 explicitly stated that the J-36 would be a formidable rival to the B-21. The B-21 is the U.S. new bomber, but it is already outdated before it is even deployed. The J-36 has sensitive radar, fast speed, can carry long-range missiles, and has a long range, which completely surpasses. On April 17, they even suspected that the J-36 is the legendary JH-XX stealth bomber. On March 31, an article reported that after the fourth test flight of the J-36, the U.S. felt it was very scary, and the F-47 would become the most expensive fighter in the world, with costs that are absurdly high.

These reports are not baseless. The progress of China's aviation industry is evident to all. From the J-10 to the J-20, and then to the J-36, engineers have accumulated a wealth of experience.

An engineer in Chengdu may have participated in four or five projects, while in the U.S., one person may focus on only one model throughout their life.

Looking at the WZ-8 drone, this thing is making the U.S. even more troubled. The WZ-8 is a recoverable hypersonic reconnaissance drone launched from the air, with a hybrid delta wing and rocket propulsion. During testing in 2024, it could fly at 3 Maches at an altitude of 30,000 meters, with a range of over 2,000 kilometers and a flight time of 1 to 2 hours. It is specifically designed for carrier and regional reconnaissance, transmitting intelligence in real-time through a data link. In April 2024, a leaked document mentioned that China used the WZ-8 to fly over Taiwan and South Korea, causing regional concerns.

American intelligence agencies estimate that the WZ-8's performance is close to the U.S. military standard, but China has made rapid progress in drone modernization. On December 18, 2024, the Pentagon reported that Beijing's efforts in drones are quickly catching up with the U.S. The mid-section body of the WZ-8 uses titanium alloy 3D printing, integrated into one piece, light yet sturdy. This technology is something the U.S. cannot catch up with in the short term.

On April 11, 2025, the Economic Times reported that China's new warfare method is mainly based on drones, with the WZ-8 being a typical example. It has hypersonic reconnaissance, strong stealth, and is difficult to detect by radar. On June 5, 2025, a video showed the WZ-8 flying stealthily at 50,000 meters, leaving the THAAD radar completely helpless.

The website 1945 specifically pointed out that the most terrifying thing is not the J-36, but the manufacturing itself in China. 3D-printed large titanium alloy components, integrated wings, and indirect targeting via data links are innovations that others cannot imitate.

China has numerous project practices, and its experience far surpasses that of the U.S. The U.S. Air Force is in a dilemma in the sixth-generation aircraft, not because they cannot design, but because they cannot produce. The manufacturing sector is lagging, and the supply chain is in disarray.

The NGAD project is a living example. The NGAD is the U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter jet. In the spring of 2024, it was expected to cost between $250 million to $300 million per unit, three times that of the F-35. The Air Force hopes to keep it within the level of the F-35, but this goal is impossible.

On December 5, 2024, the Air Force passed the NGAD decision to the new Trump administration, with a budget of $275 million for the 2025 fiscal year, and a total plan to spend $2.85 billion by 2027. On July 17, 2025, the next generation engine prototype was delayed by two years, completing only in the 2030 fiscal year. The White House warned that the advancement of the Navy's F/A-XX will delay the Air Force's F-47.

On July 23, 2025, the Air Force said that the F-35 upgrade had many issues, and the integration of software and hardware by Lockheed Martin was stuck, delaying for several years and causing cost overruns. On July 18, the South China Morning Post reported that supply chain troubles would delay the first flight of the NGAD. On September 8, the National Security Journal said that Boeing's F-47 might take off earlier, but the Navy contract would further delay the Air Force's priority projects.

On June 21, 2024, the Air Force weighed the future of the NGAD, with a budget of $1.96 billion, but there was a great risk of delays and cancellations.

The core is the engine, the adaptive propulsion system NGAP, which is difficult to achieve technological breakthroughs and has high costs. The Air Force tripled the funding to $7.5 billion, but still did not produce anything. The overall cost of the NGAD soared, without the engine, the project would lose meaning.

In February 2025, an internal report of the Air Force supported continuing, but the unit price was forced to $300 million. In May, the Air Force Secretary Kendall admitted that major adjustments were needed. In July, Boeing won the verification aircraft contract, with a contract exceeding $20 billion, but there was a shortage of workers, and assembly was delayed.

On July 18, 2025, supply chain disruptions caused factory idleness, and the new manufacturing technology lagged behind. Through multiple project practices, China widened the gap.

On January 28, 2025, ABC News said that despite U.S. tariffs, China's "Made in China 2025" was successful. The plan was launched in 2015, investing in high-tech industries, with aerospace being a key area. On February 7, 2025, the USCC hearing acknowledged that the C919 broke the monopoly, and China's "Made in China 2025" was steadily advancing, and the blockade was ineffective.

The C919 is a typical example. On June 6, 2023, the China International Radio reported that the C919 challenged Boeing and Airbus, showing great potential in Chinese aviation. In 2024, China surpassed the U.S. to become the largest aviation market.

In May 2025, the U.S. suspended the export of LEAP-1C engines, interrupting the C919 supply chain, but in June, the European EASA notified that the certification would continue. On February 6, 2025, the USCC hearing evaluated the achievements of China's "Made in China 2025," and American experts were anxious, saying that if they didn't sell technology, China would make it themselves.

On May 23, 2025, Al Jazeera said that Chinese planes proved the decline of the U.S. Air Force. China's "Made in China 2025" investment in technology ensures global leadership.

On December 14, 2024, Voice of America reported that the plan was nominally dead but actually alive, with U.S. and European concerns about intellectual property, but China's high-tech transformation was successful. On June 3, 2025, the Civil Aviation Resources Network analyzed that the Sino-U.S. trade war escalated, with high tariffs and difficulty in importing components, but the Chinese aviation industry showed strong resilience.

Foreign capital also saw the potential in China. On July 27, 2025, a report said that foreign capital accelerated its investment in new productive forces, making China a hot spot. On April 11, 2025, BBC said that Trump's trade attacks on China, but China's "Made in China 2025" led in areas such as aviation.

On July 17, 2025, the Pengyuan report said that the domestically produced large aircraft was ready to take off, and the entire industrial chain was accelerating.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7566991589613027859/

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