Chengdu (China) - China wants to underline its claim to be a superpower with this jet. Now the fighter jet (unofficially designated J-36) has been spotted on approach. The mysterious aircraft is keeping experts busy.

Since the new stealth jet was first spotted at the end of December, more and more details have become known.

In a short video that has now been circulated on Chinese social networks, the aircraft can be seen approaching to land. The clip was apparently recorded on a highway in the city of Chengdu, in the immediate vicinity of the factory airfield of the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

The mysterious aircraft, which observers have so far dubbed the J-36, is presumably a sixth-generation jet. The large aircraft is likely to have improved stealth capabilities and advanced avionics, and may be able to operate in formation with drones.

The tailless flying wing design has neither a rudder nor an elevator, but has flaps that apparently act as air brakes. The J-36 is apparently aerodynamically optimized and is likely to be difficult to fly without the support of artificial intelligence.

According to military analyst David Cenciotti, the aircraft, which observers have so far dubbed the J-36, differs significantly from conventional fighter jet designs.

While most fighter jets have two engines, the J-36 apparently has three. Two engine intakes are located under the wing, with another behind the cockpit at the rear of the aircraft. "This configuration may offer advantages in terms of thrust and redundancy," writes the expert on his blog"The Aviationist".

The analyst assumes that the jet is designed for high speeds and has internal weapon bays in which large rockets or cruise missiles can be accommodated.

Also striking: the pilots in the J-36 are apparently sitting next to each other instead of behind each other, writes the specialist portal"The Warzone" A strut divides the cockpit into two halves. This seems to rule out a tandem two-seater configuration.

The portal"Defense One" previously reported, citing Air Force circles, that the US military apparently views the challenger from China as an air superiority fighter. The USA is now likely to focus more on its own sixth-generation aircraft: the recently unveiled F-47 .

In parallel to the J-36, China is developing at least one other sixth-generation jet.