China has released the first real images of the GJ-11 stealth combat drone, officially known as the “Mysterious Dragon”, in flight alongside J-20 and J-16D fighters.
The video was presented during celebrations of the 76th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), marking the first time that the country has shown the model in joint operation with manned aircraft. The moment symbolizes a significant advance in Chinese efforts to integrate combat drones into its air forces, something that had only been suggested by graphic representations and satellite images.
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Developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG)subsidiary of AVICo GJ-11 is a flying wing drone designed for attack and reconnaissance missions in hostile environments, with a focus on stealth. Its format is similar to that of projects such as the nEUROn, from Dassault, and the S-70 Okhotnik-B, from Sukhoi. The model incorporates internal weapons bays, radar-absorbent materials and a hidden exhaust system to reduce thermal signature, allowing it to operate in heavily defended areas.
Although it first flew in 2013, its existence was only publicly confirmed six years later during the 2019 National Day parade in Beijing.
The released video shows the GJ-11 in training with the J-20 and the J-16Dwhich suggests tests of cooperation between manned and unmanned aircraft, a concept known as Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T). It is not yet clear whether the drone was controlled by pilots on board or from the ground, but the interaction indicates that the country is moving forward in the use of collaborative combat systems, in which fighters like the J-20 could act as air controllers for drones. The presence of GJ-11 units at the Shigatse air base, in Tibet, reinforces the hypothesis that the model is already undergoing operational testing, possibly focusing on strategic areas close to the border with India.
In addition to the land version, China is working on a naval variant of the GJ-11, called GJ-21, designed to operate from aircraft carriers and type 076 amphibious ships. The country is also investing in other stealth flying wing drones, such as the CH-7, recently caught in flight. These initiatives demonstrate China’s strong commitment to the development of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, consolidating its position in the global race for stealth combat technologies, a field in which powers such as Russia, India and France are also seeking to expand their capabilities.
Source: The Aviationist / The War Zone | Photo: X @sugar_wsnbn | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
GJ-11 Stealth UCAV released in the 76th anniversary video of PLAAF.
This is the first time that the unit-operated aircraft has been released on official media, but it has actually been in operation for several years.
In the video, the code given to GJ-11, which is flying in coordination with a manned aircraft, is “Genlong.”
There is a derivative version of the GJ-11, the GJ-21, which is a carrier-based aircraft for the navy. pic.twitter.com/WBunfUg79x— Sugar wsnbn (@sugar_wsnbn) November 11, 2025
