@AdityaGarg56091@EndGameWW3 This because modern warfare involves beyond-visual-range air combat. High-sensitivity radars enable fighter jets to engage each other from distances of several hundred kilometers apart. Such like pl15 can be launched from 150km away and hit the target.
@loferix@wjw9x711 @Heatloser I think it's more likely that the pla wants to use J-36 as a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft, and those three engines are precisely the solution to electricity power issue for long-duration loitering in the air.