This morning, as part of the celebrations for a new anniversary of the institution, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China published a short video in which new images of the stealth UCAV GJ-11 can be seen, the same one that can be observed flying in formation alongside other combat aircraft of the service. Titled “Dreams of Great Reach,” the recently unveiled material seeks to account for the major advances the force has made over the years to modernize and strengthen itself, both in terms of quality and quantity.
Expanding on details, during scenes in the published video the GJ-11 drone can be seen leaving its hangar toward the runway to take off and is referred to as Xuanlong; it was previously also known as Sharp Sword. In a later segment, it is shown integrated into a formation that also includes a J-20 stealth fighter and a J-16D fighter specialized for electronic warfare missions.
It is worth recalling at this point that the platform was first shown during the military parade commemorating National Day in 2019, although experts consulted by local media indicate that it is only now reaching the operational level necessary to be deployed together with the aforementioned manned aircraft. Once this capability is fully certified, the trio composed of the GJ-11, J-20 and J-16D could be a lethal combination for enemy defense networks, mixing radar-jamming capabilities with the possibility of conducting stealth incursions in order to strike key, heavily defended targets.
Following that logic, analysts in the Asian Giant have speculated that the GJ-11 could perform the function of “spearhead” in such operations, meaning it would lead the formation when carrying out the attack to conduct reconnaissance tasks and then degrade the enemy’s capabilities while the other two platforms remain at a safer distance. In later stages, the J-20 would be responsible for delivering the final blow on the targets, at which time the stealth drone could switch to an escort role.
Although there is currently a lack of further data or operational background on the matter, the issue is highlighted as part of a broader approach the PLA Air Force seeks to adopt, in which the combination of manned and unmanned means will be prioritized for future operations. In this sense, the GJ-11 constitutes one of multiple developments that Beijing is promoting to complement its current combat aircraft, including support and air-superiority drones like those that were showcased on Victory Day last September 3.
Finally, it is important to note that the new Chinese stealth drones would not only be integrated into PLA Air Force formations, but also into Navy fleets. In particular, a variant of the platform known as the GJ-21 is one of the main candidates to form part of the embarked wing of the new Type 076 amphibious assault ships, whose deck will feature electromagnetic catapults that draw on lessons learned from the construction of the carrier Fujian.
*Image credits: People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China
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