GJ-11 Sharp Sword UCAV
UAV / Droneconfirmed
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword is a stealthy, jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) featuring a flying wing design. It is designed for deep-penetration precision strike, reconnaissance, and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) in highly contested environments. The system is intended to operate either independently or as a 'loyal wingman' alongside manned stealth fighters like the J-20.
Specifications
| Type | UAV / Drone |
| Origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) / Hongdu Aviation Industry Group |
| Introduced | 2025 |
| Status | In development |
| Max speed | 1000 |
| Range | 4000 |
| Ceiling | 12500 |
| Crew | 0 (unmanned) |
History
The GJ-11 originated from the 'Sharp Sword' (Liujian) technology demonstrator program, jointly developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, which conducted its maiden flight in November 2013. An extensively modified, highly stealthy production variant was officially revealed to the public during China's National Day parade in October 2019. The UCAV features dual internal weapons bays and a stealth-optimized exhaust nozzle to minimize its radar and infrared signatures. It represents a significant leap in the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) power projection capabilities, enabling high-threat penetration missions and carrier-capable operations in the future.
Operators
| Country | Quantity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| China | — | confirmed |
Text adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo from Wikimedia Commons; see the Wikipedia article for author and license.