DefenseChina showcases GJ-11 stealth drone flying in formation with J-20 and J-16D fighters
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has unveiled a footage of the unmanned combat aerial vehicle GJ-11 Sharp Sword flying in formation with J-20 and J-16D fighters, in a video released during the celebrations of the 76th anniversary of the service.
The video, produced for the commemorative date, shows the GJ-11 being towed out of the hangar and taking off with the landing gear lowered, illustrating the joint operation between manned and unmanned platforms.
The joint display is seen as an indication of the PLAAF’s increasing emphasis on the operational integration of these assets. Analysts suggest that such coordination could enhance the tactical flexibility and responsiveness of the Chinese air force.
It is still unclear whether the GJ-11, during the demonstration flight, was controlled by an operator on the ground or was flying autonomously. Satellite images from 2024 identified three units of the GJ-11 at an airbase in China, reinforcing hypotheses about its initial employment in limited service.
The GJ-11 had already been publicly presented at the military parade on September 3, transported on a truck, and since then there have been speculations about a navalized version, informally called GJ-21, intended for operations aboard the aircraft carrier Fujian, which has just been commissioned.
The electro-optical targeting system installed on the underside of the GJ-11 is similar to that of other Chinese fighters, suggesting possible enhanced target acquisition and surveillance capabilities.
The GJ-11 features stealth characteristics that evade radar detection. China has been developing various advanced manned and unmanned aircraft, in an unusual effort to surpass the military capabilities of the United States.
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