GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth UCAV
Overview
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword (Lijian, "Sharp Sword") is China's stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle — a flying-wing UCAV designed for the very contested airspace where the slow, non-stealthy Wing Loong cannot survive. First flown in 2013 and publicly paraded in a refined, low-observable form in 2019, it represents China's bid to field penetrating unmanned strike and reconnaissance, a class the West has pursued (and largely shelved) for decades. Its tailless flying-wing planform, shielded engine exhaust and internal weapons bay mark it as a genuine low-observable design, intended to slip through modern integrated air defences to strike high-value targets or conduct ISR deep in defended airspace. A navalised variant has been strongly associated with China's new Type 076 amphibious assault ship, whose catapult and large flight deck appear tailored to launching such drones — pointing toward carrier-based unmanned strike. For an analyst, the GJ-11 is the high end of China's two-track drone strategy: the cheap, exportable Wing Loong for permissive airspace and the stealthy Sharp Sword for the fight against a peer. Much about it remains opaque — its sensors, autonomy and weapons fit are not publicly confirmed — but its existence signals that China intends to compete at the leading edge of unmanned combat aviation, including the crewed-uncrewed teaming likely to define future air war over the Pacific.
Deployment Map
Home ports from known hull assignments. Operating areas reflect typical AORs — individual deployments will vary.
Timeline
Specifications
Armament
Low-observable internal carriage; fit not publicly confirmed
Doctrine & Employment
Role
Stealth unmanned combat aircraft for penetrating strike and ISR in contested airspace.
Design Philosophy
Survivability and penetration — the peer-fight counterpart to the Wing Loong.
Employment
Low-observable flying-wing carrying internal munitions through modern air defences; potential carrier launch from Type 076.
Threat Context
Signals China's intent to compete at the leading edge of unmanned combat aviation over the Pacific.
How to Compare
Read against the MQ-25, Western flying-wing demonstrators and China's own Wing Loong.
Operational Patterns
Typical Deployment
Penetrating strike and ISR in contested airspace; potential carrier-based operations from Type 076.
Typical Task Group
Potential teaming with crewed fighters (e.g. two-seat J-20S) and carrier groups.
Readiness
Status opaque; naval integration emerging.
Key Operating Areas
Peer Comparison Matrix
The U.S. fielded a carrier UAV as a tanker first; the GJ-11 points to carrier-based stealth strike.
Video angle: How the US and China approach carrier drones.
Western flying-wing UCAV demonstrators that largely did not enter service; China appears to be fielding the concept.
Video angle: Why China is fielding the stealth UCAV the West shelved.
Wing Loong is a permissive-airspace workhorse; the GJ-11 is built for the peer fight.
Video angle: China's two faces of unmanned strike.
Combat History
Paraded in Beijing in a refined low-observable configuration after a 2013 first flight.
Signalled China's pursuit of penetrating stealth unmanned strike.
Known Vulnerabilities
Opaque maturity
Sensors, autonomy, weapons and true signature are unverified.
Context: Operational status and capability are uncertain.
Mitigation: (Assessment caveat.)
Flying-wing control
Tailless designs are demanding to control and integrate.
Context: Technical risk in a hard aircraft class.
Mitigation: Iterative flight testing.
Variants
| Variant | Designation | Years | Count | Status | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJ-11 (Sharp Sword) | — | 2019– | — | active | Refined low-observable flying-wing UCAV |
| GJ-11 (naval) | — | anticipated | — | building | Carrier/Type 076-launched variant |
Modernization Programmes
Type 076 / carrier integration
Navalised variant tied to the catapult-equipped Type 076 assault ship.
Impact: Could give China carrier-based unmanned stealth strike.
Images
Frequently Asked
When was the first GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth UCAV commissioned?
The first GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth UCAV entered service in 2019.
Who builds the GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth UCAV?
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth UCAV is built by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (AVIC).
What variants of the GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth UCAV exist?
Known variants include: GJ-11 (Sharp Sword), GJ-11 (naval).
Curated Research
recommended
Open-source carrier-drone analysis
reference
Configuration and development
Watch GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth UCAV in Action
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