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| Screenshot from the Sina Weibo account of the PLA Air Force |
Beijing, November 12 - In a groundbreaking display of aerial prowess, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has unveiled footage showcasing the GJ-11 stealth drone soaring alongside the J-20 stealth fighter and J-16D electronic warfare aircraft for the first time, marking a pivotal advancement in China's stealth drone technology. Released as part of a commemorative microfilm titled "Far-Reaching Dreams" to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the PLAAF, the 41-second clip captures the trio in seamless formation flight, highlighting the integration of unmanned and manned assets in high-stakes operations. This revelation underscores Beijing's accelerating push toward next-generation air power, where stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) like the GJ-11, codenamed "Xuanlong" or Mysterious Dragon, emerge as force multipliers in contested skies. The footage, depicting the drone's hangar departure and synchronized maneuvers with the J-20's "Weilong" Mighty Dragon and the jamming-capable J-16D, signals operational maturity for these platforms in PLA exercises.
The GJ-11, with its distinctive flying-wing design optimized for low observability, boasts radar-absorbent materials, internal weapons bays, and a shrouded exhaust to minimize infrared signatures, making it ideal for deep-strike missions in hostile environments. First publicly paraded during China's 2019 National Day military showcase, the drone's maiden flight dates back to 2013, but this microfilm offers the inaugural glimpse of it collaborating in real-time with crewed fighters. The J-20, China's premier fifth-generation stealth jet renowned for its supercruise capabilities and advanced avionics, leads the formation, while the J-16D variant provides electronic warfare support through radar jamming and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). This manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) synergy allows the GJ-11 to extend the reach of human pilots, venturing into ultra-high-risk zones for reconnaissance, precision strikes, or decoy roles without endangering lives, thereby enhancing the PLAAF's tactical flexibility and survivability in modern warfare scenarios.
Military expert Song Zhongping hailed the GJ-11, J-20, and J-16D triad as a "perfect combination" for penetrating hostile defense lines, emphasizing its layered lethality. As Song explained, the J-16D's ability to paralyze enemy radar systems creates an electronic veil, enabling the stealthy J-20 and GJ-11 to slip through undetected and neutralize high-value targets with surgical accuracy. This setup not only amplifies strike endurance—thanks to the drone's loitering potential—but also reduces pilot exposure, aligning with global trends in intelligentized warfare where AI-driven autonomy complements human decision-making. Analysts note that such formations could redefine air superiority doctrines, particularly in potential flashpoints like the Taiwan Strait, where integrated stealth operations could overwhelm integrated air defense systems.
This anniversary microfilm arrives amid heightened geopolitical tensions, spotlighting China's relentless innovation in J-20 upgrades, GJ-11 deployments, and electronic warfare assets as cornerstones of its military modernization. By publicly demonstrating this formidable "sky trio," the PLAAF not only boosts national morale but also sends a clear message to adversaries about its evolving capabilities in stealth drone warfare and joint aerial dominance. As Beijing continues to refine these technologies, the world watches closely, recognizing the implications for future conflicts where unmanned stealth platforms could tip the scales of power.