China is signaling a dramatic shift in naval warfare with what it claims is the world’s first ship-launched stealth combat drone. The GJ-11, linked to the Sharp Sword lineage, is being positioned as a carrier-capable instrument that could reshape how navies project air power at sea. Built by AVIC affiliates and showcased alongside crewed platforms, the drone blends a flying-wing profile with radar-evading materials and a foldable airframe designed to fit into carrier magazines and hangars.

The GJ-11’s lineage traces back to the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s Sharp Sword project, with Hongdu Aviation Industry Group taking the lead under the umbrella of AVIC. Official disclosures describe the naval variant as potentially the only operational ship-based stealth combat drone in service, a claim that underscores China’s intent to integrate unmanned airpower into its surface fleet. The display during a recent military parade highlighted folding hinges on the airframe, a practical feature for stowage on carriers or amphibious ships and rapid re-deployment at sea.

Executive summaries of the drone’s design emphasize a low radar cross-section, a hallmark of a true stealth platform. With a length of about 32.8 feet (10 meters) and a wingspan of roughly 45.9 feet (14 meters), the GJ-11 employs a blended body and flying-wing geometry to reduce reflective surfaces. An upper air intake helps shield the engine from radar waves, while a specialized coating mirrors those used on China’s crewed fighters to further suppress radar detectability. The aircraft is powered by a turbofan engine and is described as capable of reaching speeds near 690 mph (1,111 km/h). It carries a payload of up to 4,409 pounds (2,000 kilograms), giving it practical strike and reconnaissance potential on a single sortie.

Following a well-established doctrinal thread, proponents describe the GJ-11 as more than a high-performance drone. Its proponents call it a “loyal wingman” that can accompany crewed fighters such as the J-20 and coordinate missions autonomously or under ground-based control. The drone’s internal weapons bays and robust sensors enable it to perform precision strikes or reconnaissance while maintaining a tactical presence beyond the range of manned aircraft. Reports also suggest an ability to operate in harsh weather and maintain real-time data links with a central command hub, enabling operator oversight even as the drone carries out autonomous tasks.

Industry assessments emphasize the range and endurance of the naval variant. South China Morning Post coverage cited a combat reach of more than 930 miles (about 1,500 kilometers), highlighting applications in the Western Pacific theater around Japan and Taiwan, among others. Autonomy is pitched as a central feature, with the drone capable of autonomous takeoff, mission execution, and recovery, supported by advanced artificial intelligence to handle complex tasks and reduce operator workload. The implication is a platform that can extend the reach of carrier strike groups and conduct patrols or strikes without diverting aircraft away from critical missions.

In terms of deployment, observers have speculated that the naval variant could begin operating from the Sichuan and Fujian aircraft carriers. If true, this would mark a notable expansion of China’s carrier strike group capabilities into unmanned domains, altering how regional powers consider air cover and maritime dominance. For readers tracking defense trends, this development underscores a broader move toward unmanned warfare in which a few high-end drones can complement, or even presage, traditional manned systems. For defense planners, the message was unmistakable: fleet compositions are shifting toward autonomous, networked assets that can operate from sea-based carriers and complex amphibious ships.

Design pedigree and stealth features

The GJ-11’s stealth attributes hinge on its flying-wing geometry and fully blended fuselage, designed to minimize radar returns. Its wing loading and airframe geometry are calibrated to reduce detectability at the sensor wavelengths most commonly used by modern combat radars. The upper air intake design reduces turbine blade exposure, while the stealth coating aligns with Chinese approaches used on crewed fighters. Together, these features aim to minimize detection during approach and strike phases, increasing the probability of mission success in contested environments.

From a technical standpoint, the drone’s foldable hinges address a practical constraint: carrier storage. When stowed, a stealth platform may present fewer vulnerabilities to the carrier’s fleet protection system, and later unfold for rapid mission execution. In this sense, the GJ-11 mirrors broader trends where stealth airframes are optimized for naval integration, enabling longer-range reconnaissance and precision strike without exposing host platforms to extended periods of danger.

Operational concept and regional implications

Navies around the world are watching how the GJ-11’s capabilities might integrate with carrier operations and amphibious ships. The drone’s “loyal wingman” concept implies a future where unmanned aircraft provide persistent ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and precision strike support for larger manned fleets. Real-time data links and autonomy reductions for crewing demand could allow carrier groups to maintain multi-axis pressure without delegating critical tasks to human pilots in risky environments.

Geopolitically, the deployment of a ship-based stealth drone in the South China Sea and adjacent waters could complicate settlement strategies and deterrence calculations for regional rivals. If the GJ-11 reaches full operational capability, allied navies may accelerate investments in networked unmanned platforms, electronic warfare resistance, and autonomous mission planning to preserve air superiority at sea. This evolving dynamic underscores a broader trend: unmanned systems are moving from experimental showcases to practical force multipliers that reshape naval doctrine and regional security calculations.

Beyond military implications, the GJ-11 program also interacts with policy and export controls. As with other advanced drone technologies, questions of dual-use risk, supply chain security, and international norms will shape how, where, and with whom China shares or licenses such capabilities. Observers note that the strategic value of naval unmanned systems is rising, making these platforms a focal point in defense diplomacy and technology competition among major powers.

Strategic and policy context

The emergence of a ship-launched stealth drone signals a shift in how navies will balance manned and unmanned assets in high-threat environments. For policymakers, this trend raises important questions about command-and-control architectures, resilience in contested networks, and the steps needed to integrate autonomous platforms into joint operations while preserving safety and accountability. For industry, the GJ-11 represents not only a proof of concept but a potential path for broader market maturation in naval unmanned systems, sensor fusion, and AI-enabled autonomy that could influence civilian drone sectors as well.

As the unmanned wing edges closer to routine carrier operations, stakeholders should monitor regulatory developments, interoperability standards, and training infrastructures that will enable effective, ethical, and safe integration of these advanced systems into national defense strategies. The trajectory suggests a future in which the line between manned and unmanned platforms blurs, and where autonomous combat drones become an enduring element of naval power projection.

Conclusion

The claim that China has produced the world’s first ship-launched stealth drone marks a milestone in naval unmanned systems. The GJ-11 represents a convergence of stealth design, autonomous operation, and carrier integration, signaling a strategic shift in how modern fleets project power at sea. For defense planners and industry observers alike, the core takeaway is clear: unmanned systems are no longer a niche experiment. They are becoming integral to sea control, carrier operations, and regional deterrence. As navies adapt, the balance of power in contested waters will hinge on how effectively these platforms are integrated, secured, and scaled across fleets in the years ahead.