GJ-11 Sharp Sword drone flies publicly for first time in PLAAF video
November 11, 2025
China’s GJ-11 Sharp Sword advanced drone has been featured in a new video celebrating China’s rapid uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV). The development is part of a heated saga of Great Power Competition with the United States.
China publicly flies GJ-11 for the first time
As part of commemorating the 76th founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), China has released a video showing the Hongdu GJ-11 tailless drone flying for the first time.
The news and video were reported by China’s state-run news outlet, Global Times. The video shows a GJ-11 stealth drone being pulled out of a hangar. In flight, the GJ-11 is accompanied by a Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter and a J-16D electronic warfare jet.
Global Times reported, “An expert called it [the combination of aircraft] a perfect combination for penetrating hostile defence lines.” The footage suggests the aircraft has reached some level of operational readiness.
The teaser microfilm is only 41 seconds long and is entitled “Far-Reaching Dreams.” The film referred to the GJ-11 as “Xuanlong,” meaning “Black Dragon” or “Mysterious Dragon,” while the J-20 was called by its nickname “Weilong,” meaning “Mighty Dragon.”
To mark the 76th founding anniversary, the PLA Air Force released a microfilm titled “Far-Reaching Dreams” on Tuesday. Through the perspective of an ordinary family, the microfilm portrays the developments of the Chinese Air Force. The microfilm released footage of a GJ-11… pic.twitter.com/TABieqZSJv
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 11, 2025
The GJ-11 is one of many unmanned military aircraft of varying descriptions that China is developing. China unveiled a slew of more advanced drones at its V-Day parade in Beijing in September, with even more being unveiled since. The aircraft’s wingspan is over 47 feet (over 14 metres) and its length is 40 feet (over 12 metres).
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First Chinese display of manned-unmanned teaming
The aircraft is believed to have been in development for over a decade and is thought to be a penetrating air-to-surface strike and ISR uncrewed vehicle, although it might also be able to perform other missions like electronic warfare.
Global Times quoted one Chinese expert as saying it, with its J-20, can “break through the hostile defence line and destroy key targets,” while the J-16D provides jamming.
The article seemed to suggest it has some level of loyal wingman role as it could act as an “extension of the manned aircraft, going deeper into high-risk zones.” It is suggested that it could provide cover for the manned aircraft.
The United States and China are racing to develop manned-unmanned teaming. The United States has reported passing numerous milestones in recent years, including having F-15s and F-16s controlling multiple Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drones.
Operational GJ-11 CCA with J-20/16
— Hûrin (@Hurin92) November 11, 2025
"Still in testing" phase crowd in shambles https://t.co/x3nBd2VicX pic.twitter.com/joLAMVa8R2
However, the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) noted this is the first time the Chinese Air Force has displayed its manned-unmanned teaming capability. It should be noted that it is unclear to what degree the GJ-11 was remotely controlled and to what degree it flew autonomously.
GJ-11 first unveiled in 2019
The first publicly released flight of the GJ-11 comes as no surprise. It was first unveiled to the public in Beijing at China’s National Day military parade in 2019.
In October 2025, The War Zone reported on satellite imagery showing several of these stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat aircraft were “deployed to a very active dual-use military-civilian airport…” The publication suggested this shows the aircraft was in a semi-operational state.
It is unclear when the footage released on Tuesday was taken, although it was likely from a training exercise, possibly the same as The War Zone previously noted.
Chinese drone systems at WWII victory day parade pic.twitter.com/KZ3EdgYOMt
— Chengdu China (@Chengdu_China) September 3, 2025
The race between China and the United States to develop next-generation UCAVs is going into overdrive, with the rest of the world trailing. News reports of major new milestones, first flights, and new concepts are becoming a seemingly daily or at least weekly occurrence.
