China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation has unveiled significant advancements in its J-36 sixth-generation stealth jet, now featuring a new thrust vectoring nozzle design that enhances maneuverability and control at high angles of attack. This prototype, spotted in November 2025, incorporates three two-dimensional nozzles and revised aerodynamic elements, indicating a strategic shift towards improved flight performance while potentially compromising some stealth capabilities from the rear. As the J-36 is positioned for air superiority and long-range operations, its rapid development raises concerns among U.S. and regional observers about China’s expanding military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring the competitive dynamics in air dominance and the evolving landscape of advanced combat aircraft technology.