In the high-stakes arena of modern aerial warfare, the race for stealth supremacy is intensifying. As of September 28, 2025, China’s J-35 stealth fighter has grabbed headlines with its radar cross-section (RCS) reportedly smaller than a human palm, thanks to innovative fuselage designs and proprietary metamaterial technologies. This revelation from official Chinese media underscores Beijing’s rapid advancements in fifth-generation fighters, positioning the J-35 as a direct challenger to Western icons like the U.S. F-35 Lightning II. But how does China’s stealth tech stack up against the West’s? Is the J-35 a game-changer that threatens U.S. air dominance in the Indo-Pacific? And what countermeasures are NATO allies deploying?
The Rise of China’s Stealth Arsenal:
China’s stealth fighter program has evolved from imitation to innovation, with the Shenyang J-35 emerging as a cornerstone. Debuting variants at Airshow China 2024, the J-35 series includes carrier-based models for the PLA Navy’s Fujian aircraft carrier and land-based J-35A multirole fighters for the air force. Recent videos from September 2025 show the J-35 executing electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoffs from the Fujian, marking a milestone in carrier operations.
Key specs from the latest disclosures:
- RCS: Smaller than a human palm (roughly sparrow-sized, ~0.01 m²), enabling undetected approaches until point-blank range.
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: Nearly 30 tons, blurring the line between medium and heavy fighters for enhanced payload.
- Engines: Twin Chinese-developed medium-thrust WS-19 units with thrust-vectoring for superior maneuverability.
- Armament: Internal bays for four munitions (up to 4,400 lbs) plus six external hardpoints; optimized for air-to-air and strike missions.
- Speed and Range: Top speed of Mach 2.0–2.2; combat radius ~1,200 km.
Complementing the J-35 is the larger J-20, China’s air superiority stealth jet, now entering mass production with WS-15 engines by 2025–2027. Together, these platforms signal China’s intent to field hundreds of stealth aircraft, leveraging shared avionics and sensors for cost efficiency – a model praised by AVIC’s chief designer Wang Yongqing for slashing development time and maintenance costs.
Western Stealth Powerhouses:
The West’s stealth lineage is led by Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, a multirole workhorse in service with the U.S. and 19 allies, and the elite F-22 Raptor for air dominance. Over 1,000 F-35s are operational as of 2025, with production ramping to 156 units annually.
Core F-35 specs:
- RCS: ~0.001–0.005 m² (golf ball-sized), with durable coatings for sustained low observability.
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 31,800 kg (70,000 lbs) for the F-35A variant.
- Engines: Single Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan, delivering 43,000 lbs thrust.
- Armament: Internal bays for 5,700 lbs of weapons; external options for 18,000 lbs total.
- Speed and Range: Mach 1.6; ferry range 2,200 km, combat radius 1,100 km.
The F-22, with only 187 units produced, boasts an RCS under 0.0001 m² and supercruise at Mach 1.5 without afterburners, but its age limits upgrades. Europe’s Tempest and FCAS programs lag behind, focusing on sixth-gen concepts by 2035.
Image: U.S. F-35 Lightning II in flight, emblematic of Western stealth multirole capabilities (Source: Lockheed Martin).
J-35 vs F-35 – Specs Showdown
A side-by-side comparison reveals a narrowing gap, with the J-35 gaining ground in speed and payload but trailing in sensor fusion and range.
| Feature | China’s J-35 | U.S. F-35A |
|---|---|---|
| RCS | < Human palm (~0.01 m²) | Golf ball (~0.001–0.005 m²) |
| Engines | Twin WS-19 (medium thrust, vectoring) | Single F135 (43,000 lbs thrust) |
| Top Speed | Mach 2.0–2.2 | Mach 1.6 |
| Combat Radius | 1,200 km | 1,100 km |
| Max Takeoff Weight | ~30 tons | 31.8 tons |
| Internal Weapons | 4 munitions (4,400 lbs) | 5,700 lbs |
| Avionics | AESA radar, shared modular systems | AN/APG-81 AESA, advanced fusion |
| Unit Cost (Est.) | $70–80M (mass production) | $78M (Lot 15, 2024) |
| Production Status | Limited series, entering service 2025 | 1,000+ operational, scaling up |
Data sourced from 2025 reports; J-35 edges in raw speed for intercepts, while F-35 excels in networked warfare. The J-35’s rounded edges may compromise RCS at certain angles compared to the F-35’s sharper design.
Stealth, Engines, and Avionics Under the Hood
Stealth Tech: Both rely on shape, materials, and coatings, but China’s metamaterials – absorbing radar via engineered microstructures – claim palm-sized RCS, rivaling the F-35’s broadband stealth. Western edges lie in infrared reduction and all-aspect low observability, tested in real-world ops.
Engines: J-35’s twin WS-19s offer redundancy and thrust-vectoring for dogfights, outpacing the F-35’s single-engine reliability. However, U.S. engines mature faster, with F-35’s F135 avoiding the teething issues plaguing Chinese turbofans.
Avionics and Sensors: F-35’s sensor fusion integrates data from 360° IRST, DAS, and EOTS for “God’s-eye view,” a leap over J-35’s AESA suite. China’s modular approach, per Wang Yongqing, enables rapid upgrades across variants, potentially closing the gap by 2030.
Production and Logistics: China’s state-driven model aims for 200+ J-35s by 2030 at lower costs, while F-35’s global supply chain boosts interoperability but inflates prices.
A Direct Challenge to Western Air Superiority
The J-35 isn’t just a jet – it’s a multiplier for China’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategy in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Paired with J-20s and KJ-600 AWACS, it could saturate U.S. carrier groups with stealthy strikes, remaining undetected until launch range. Experts warn of “real threat” to F-22/F-35 dominance, with J-35’s speed enabling quick intercepts of tankers and bombers.
- To U.S. Carriers: Fully loaded launches from Fujian extend strike envelopes, overwhelming Aegis defenses.
- Indo-Pacific Balance: Export potential to Pakistan (40 units eyed) and others proliferates tech, encircling allies like India and Japan.
- Economic Leverage: China’s rare earth monopoly delays F-35 upgrades, amplifying the threat.
U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, label this “imminent” risk, urging Pacific deterrence.
Western Countermeasures:
The West isn’t standing still. Facing J-35 proliferation, responses span tech infusions and next-gen bets.
- F-35 Block 4 Upgrades: 2025 Lots 17+ integrate IR-resistant coatings, enhanced AESA, and AI-driven fusion, countering Chinese metamaterials. Despite delays from rare earth shortages, $180M contracts convert jets to testbeds. Lockheed’s “Ferrari” variant – a fifth-gen-plus F-35D with 80% NGAD capabilities at half the cost – eyes unmanned teaming.
- NGAD Program: Boeing’s F-47, selected in June 2025, promises sixth-gen stealth with drone swarms, entering service by 2030 to outpace J-35/J-20.
- Allied Strategies: QUAD exercises simulate J-35 scenarios; Europe accelerates Tempest for shared tech. Diversifying rare earth supplies mitigates China’s leverage.
These moves aim to maintain qualitative edges, but quantity – China’s projected 500+ stealth jets by 2030 – demands scaled production.
The J-35’s palm-sized RCS and carrier prowess mark China’s stealth leap, threatening Western primacy with closer-range ambushes and A2/AD dominance. Yet, the F-35’s networked superiority and NGAD horizon provide robust counters, ensuring the West’s edge – for now. As 2025 unfolds, this rivalry will define Indo-Pacific security. Stakeholders must invest in innovation to avoid a stealth stalemate.
