In recent years, China has demonstrated strong momentum in hypersonic technologies and next-generation fighters through sustained investment and independent R&D.
This development stems from long-term strategic planning, including wind tunnel infrastructure and engine innovation, while the U.S. and other nations are showing adaptive adjustments to these advances.
China emphasizes practicality and compatibility, driving technology from lab experiments to real deployment. This not only enhances its own capabilities but also offers new pathways for global aviation development.
Hypersonic Breakthrough: 16 Mach ODE Engine
In February 2025, Chinese research teams unveiled an oblique detonation engine (ODE) powered by RP-3 aviation kerosene, validated in the JF-12 wind tunnel at speeds up to Mach 16.
The design improves on traditional ramjet engines: engineers optimized the combustion chamber, cutting its length to just 15% of previous size, reducing weight and boosting thrust-to-weight ratio.
Unlike conventional combustion, the new engine uses wall micro-protrusions to guide fuel-air mixing, generating oblique detonation waves that accelerate combustion up to 1,000 times faster.
JF-12 Wind Tunnel Advantage
Since 2012, the JF-12 wind tunnel has enabled testing from Mach 5 to Mach 9. With a 3.5m diameter and 130-millisecond duration, it far surpasses the U.S. LENS II limit of 30 milliseconds, at just one-fifth the cost.
This underscores China’s independent hypersonic path: while the U.S. pursued hydrogen fuel, China opted for RP-3 kerosene, which aligns with commercial supply chains, easing storage and lowering operational costs.
Sixth-Generation Fighter: J-36 Prototype
In 2025, China’s J-36 prototype underwent multiple test flights. Images reveal a tailless design and triple-engine configuration, signaling a shift from fifth-generation stealth toward intelligent, hypersonic-integrated platforms.
While the U.S. B-21 Raider focuses on stealth and long-range strikes, China’s approach emphasizes hypersonic integration for global coverage within one hour.
Engineering Breakthroughs
- December 2024 ground tests optimized fuel injection ports to 0.3 mm, preventing overheating.
- The ODE enables Mach 16, compared with DF-17’s Mach 5 and Russia’s Kinzhal at Mach 10.
- Engineers refined detonation wave angles to 25°, ensuring efficient propagation.
- Compared with traditional jet engines, the new ODE combusts in microseconds, achieving 80% efficiency gains.
China effectively realized a concept first proposed by the U.S. in 1958 but grounded it in kerosene practicality and cost-effective validation.
Global Impact and Strategic Implications
- German experts hailed JF-12 as a milestone, with U.S. media acknowledging a 20-year lead.
- Russia praised China’s leap beyond the LENS series, while South Korea remained skeptical.
- The DF-21D missile already raised U.S. concerns; now the 16 Mach ODE underscores unmatched capability.
- In January 2025, the U.S. signed a new missile defense directive, just as China revealed its breakthrough engine—a stark contrast highlighting strategic competition.
China’s steady advances reveal deep technical reserves and strategic patience, reshaping the balance of global aviation power. By integrating sixth-generation fighters with hypersonic propulsion, China positions itself as both a technology leader and rule-setter.
