China is ramping up development of its GJ-11 Sharp Sword, a stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV ) with the potential to reshape the future of drone warfare, The Warzone reported.
Two GJ-11s are visible at Malan Air Base in northern Xinjiang state, a well-known Chinese hub for uncrewed system tests, according to Planet Labs satellite pictures reviewed by The Warzone.
The GJ-11, designed for strike missions and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ( ISR ) tasks, has been increasingly linked to future operations with crewed J-20 stealth fighters and potential deployment from People’s Liberation Army–Navy ( PLA-N) aircraft carriers.
The US government’s lack of comparable formally acknowledged projects contrasts starkly with China’s rise in UCAV screening activity, according to The Warzone.
The GJ-11’s development includes rigorous testing for joint operations and higher autonomy, according to The War Zone. It notes that the GJ-11’s development, from its less subtle design first seen in 2013 to its more sophisticated iterations, underscores China’s large ambitions in uncrewed underwater engineering and commitment to advancing its UCAV capabilities.
The US has switched its focus to low-cost robots intended to work closely with manned jets, according to the report, leaving a gap in the development of subtle flying-wing UCAVs.
According to The Warzone statement, this strategic difference suggests a significant change in aerial fight technology, with China probably gaining a competitive advantage in uncrewed stealth capabilities.
Parth Satam mentions the UCAV’s cunning features and innovative design, including a large flying aircraft architecture and top-mounted air intake, in an August 2024 essay for The Aviationist. Satam says that the GJ-11 you work from China’s Model 075 amphibious assault ships, enhancing its flexibility.
He claims that satellite pictures and mockups indicate that the aircraft may be used for carrier aviation and could be used to operate the new Type 076 amphibious war ship. According to Satam, the GJ-11’s stealth and reconnaissance capabilities make it a significant asset for the People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ), particularly in the Western Pacific, where it could carry out surveillance and strike missions.
China may use parties of drones to attack Taiwan’s air defense systems, both on land and at sea, in the event of a potential war. Following this, more substantial air and missile attacks, and probably even an amphibious assault, might be planned.
Guo Yilun and Ma Quan emphasize the integration of manned and unmanned systems in a June 2022 content for the PLA Daily to allow China to develop a wider range of capabilities. Guo and Ma mention that the interaction between human-operated and intelligent platforms will alter battlefield strategies as a new period of clever warfare dawns.
They say that manned-unmanned partnering, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and intelligent technology, enhances operating agility and performance.
In line with that thinking, Mandeep Singh mentions in a March 2022 DefStrat article that China’s GJ-11 represents a significant advancement in manned-unmanned teaming ( MUM-T) capabilities.
While Singh notes that the GJ-11’s specific capabilities remain largely unfamiliar due to the classified nature of China’s defense programs, the GJ-11 is expected to enhance China’s MUM-T operations by probably acting as a “loyal friend” to guarded aircraft like the J-20S or another carrier-based fighters.
Singh points out that this integration aims to make use of the UCAV’s advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities to support manned missions, increasing situational awareness and reducing risks for human pilots.
The US Navy is advancing its uncrewed capabilities by integrating them aboard its supercarriers as China increases its development of the GJ-11 stealth drone for integration with manned platforms and potential carrier operations, indicating a new level of competition for naval and aerial warfare dominance.
Beyond conventional aircraft carriers, drone carriers offer power projection advantages, according to Asia Times in June 2024. These benefits are made possible by enabling unmanned aerial operations to be carried out far afield, extending the range of tactical, operational, and strategic options.
Unmanned systems are safer, more cost-efficient and well-suited for high-risk missions. Drone carriers, meanwhile, provide a practical and cost-effective way to improve aerial capabilities over extended distances for middle-income countries that lack land-based facilities.
Nevertheless, drones have limitations in areas with strong air defense systems and electronic warfare capabilities.
The US Navy is advancing its naval warfare capabilities by integrating a dedicated Unmanned Air Warfare Center ( UAWC ) on the USS George H. W. Bush ( CVN-77 ), according to an article from Asia Times in August 2024. This is the first supercarrier to feature a facility like this.
This development, reported by The War Zone in August 2024, is part of a broader plan to equip all Nimitz and Ford-class carriers with UAWCs. The UAWC will act as the operational hub for MQ-25 Stingray tanker drones and upcoming collaborative combat aircraft (CCA ) in the future.
The initiative aims to reduce reliance on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters for refueling tasks and expand the carrier air wing’s reach. Early in the year, the USS George H. W. Bush is scheduled to begin conducting at-sea testing of the UAWC’s operational networks.
This action highlights the growing need for aerial refueling capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, where extensive distances and changing threats necessitate increased force projection.
The US Navy’s strategy also includes a significant shift towards uncrewed aircraft, with plans for carrier air wings to comprise 60 % uncrewed aircraft, aligning with the broader Next Generation Air Dominance ( NGAD ) program.
The US is redefining its carrier fleet with autonomous systems, while China’s GJ-11 stealth drones represent a significant step toward military dominance in the near future. This tit-for-tat has set the stage for a high-tech aerial and naval power projection competition.
In a June 2024 CIMSEC article, Brent Sadler mentions that aircraft carrier design has changed throughout history due to evolving threats, emphasizing the crucial role of integrating unmanned platforms, long-range weapons and advanced data processing.
Sadler says drones, such as the MQ-25, are repurposed for tanking roles, extending the operational range of manned aircraft like the F/A-18 and F-35. This shift, he says, necessitates design changes, including larger ammo elevators and advanced launch systems like EMALS.
He emphasizes adaptability and flexibility in carrier design to modern challenges, such as drone swarms and anti-ship ballistic missiles.
Sadler points out that in order to maintain operational superiority, carrier warfare will need to be conducted in a networked manner, integrating sensors and weapons from various platforms.