| GJ-11 Sharp Sword | |
|---|---|
| 👁 Image Mock-up of GJ-11 displayed at Airshow China in 2021 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| National origin | People's Republic of China |
| Manufacturer | Hongdu Aviation Industry Group |
| Designer | |
| Status | In Service |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| History | |
| First flight | November 2013 |
The Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword (Chinese: 攻击-11 利剑; pinyin: gongji-11 lì jiàn) is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed in the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army. It was designed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute (SYADI) and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), and is part of seven proposed models by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) program called "AVIC 601-S".[1][2][3] The GJ-11 can perform precision strike and aerial reconnaissance missions.[2][4]
Development
[edit]The Sharp Sword UCAV program was unveiled in 2009[5] and the first aircraft began ground testing on December 13, 2012.[6]
Early versions were less stealthy with an exposed engine nozzle.[7]
Images of the aircraft's 20 minute long maiden flight appeared on the internet on November 21st 2013, where the "Sharp Sword" took off from HAIG airfield.[8][3] This made China the fourth country to successfully conduct a maiden flight of a UCAV, after the United States, France and the UK.[9]
In October 2021, AVIC showcased the GJ-11 at Airshow China. The drone is reportedly capable of taking off autonomously from Type 076 amphibious assault ships. The stealthy drone could deploy swarming air-launched decoys or electronic warfare systems, in addition to launching precision-guided munitions.[10][11]
In October 2022, Chinese media showcased the computer-generated concepts of three GJ-11 being controlled by a two-seat variant of the Chengdu J-20 fighter jet, akin to the Loyal Wingman program of the United States.[12]
The drone was in testing and evaluation as of 2021,[13] with serial production planned for 2022.[14]
In 2024, multiple GJ-11 drones were observed in the PLAAF Malan Air Base, a major hub for testing unmanned platforms. PLA also tested the integration of GJ-11 with manned aircraft as manned-unmanned teams. A naval variant was under development for Type 076 big-deck amphibious assault ships.[15]
Operational testing continued in late-2025 at Shigatse Peace Airport. A mockup was displayed at the 2025 China Victory Day Parade.[16]
Design
[edit]The GJ-11 uses a tailless flying wing design[2] with two internal weapons bays.[17][2] Stealth features include the shaping of the rear airframe around the engine exhaust[4] and serrated weapon bay doors.[17] The aircraft is powered by a single turbofan engine of unknown type, and the overall wingspan is 14 meters.[18]
The GJ-11 is referred to as the "loyal wingman" by the Chinese military.[19][20]
Variants
[edit]- GJ-11
- Original variant
- GJ-11J
- Also designated GJ-21,[21] naval carrier-based variant.[22]
Specifications
[edit]
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 12.2[17] m (40 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 14.4[17] m (47 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.7[17] m (8 ft 10 in)
- Powerplant: 1 × unnamed Guizhou-built[23] turbofan
Performance
Armament
References
[edit]- ^ D'Urso, Stefano (2019-10-01). "China Exhibits New Sharp Sword UCAV During Military Parade for PRC's 70th Anniversary". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b c d e Wood, Peter; Cliff, Roger (November 2020). Chinese Airborne C4ISR. United States Department of the Air Force China Aerospace Studies Institute. p. 21. ISBN 9798583085569.
- ^ a b Axe, David (21 November 2013). "Now China's Got a Stealthy Killer Drone". medium.com. war-is-boring. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ a b Williams, Ian; Dahlgren, Masao (16 October 2019). "More Than Missiles: China Previews its New Way of War". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ ""利剑"隐身无人机或已通过验收 相关技术可能用于下一代轰炸机" (in Chinese). guancha.cn. Retrieved Dec 5, 2025.
- ^ 今日关注 《今日关注》 20131121 隐身无人机首飞成功 中国军队"利剑"在握 (in Chinese). Retrieved Dec 5, 2025.
- ^ Trimble, Stephen (21 May 2013). "New tailless UAV design proclaims Chinese ambition". Flight International. Gale General OneFile. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ Cenciotti, David (2013-11-22). "[Video] China's first Weaponized Stealth Drone makes maiden flight". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "傳中國產無人機「利劍」 首度試飛成功" (in Chinese). appledaily.com.tw. Retrieved Dec 5, 2025.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (11 October 2021). "Chinese Flying Wing Drones Launch Swarming Decoys At Enemy Warships In Industry Video". The Drive.
- ^ Paleja, Ameya (11 October 2021). "China Unveils Long-Range GJ-11 Drones That Can Launch Decoys At Enemy Warships". Interesting Engineering.
- ^ Meier, Ricardo (12 October 2022). "Chinese two-seat J-20 fighter jet controlling three GJ-11 stealth drones". Air Data News.
- ^ Thompson, Drew (7 June 2021). Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2021. Routledge. p. 242. ISBN 978-1-000-47449-7.
- ^ Thompson 2021, p. 244.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (5 September 2024). "Chinese Flying Wing UCAV Testing Accelerating Based On Satellite Imagery, Videos". The War Zone.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph. "China's Stealth Sharp Sword Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles Deployed To Operational Airbase". The War Zone. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ a b c d e f "歼20性能数据首次披露：最大飞行速度2马赫". Xinhua (in Chinese). 2021-09-28. Archived from the original on 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- ^ "GJ-11 UAV displayed on Chinese National Day". air recognition. 3 October 2022. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ SCMP Team (3 September 2025). "China parades new weapons in show of 'strategic ace' deterrence – as it happened". South China Morning Post.
- ^ Kajal, Kapil (3 September 2025). "From nuclear triad to hypersonics: What China unveiled in largest military parade ever". Interesting Engineering.
- ^ Waldron, Greg (3 September 2025). "China unveils new support aircraft but no stealth bomber at World War II anniversary parade". Flight Global.
- ^ Malyasov, Dylan (18 August 2025). "Analyst: China's air power display exceeds expectations". Defense Blog.
- ^ "航空报国酬壮志 长天映照赤子心——记贵州航空发动机研究所副总设计师韩冬". 中工网. 2015-04-27. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23.