Believed to be a naval variant of the GJ-11, the GJ-21 is anticipated to function from the Sort 006 Sichuan LHD after mockups of the drone had been noticed on test-sites representing the ship.
China’s GJ-21 UCAV was captured whereas flying overhead in what is taken into account to be its first clear picture in flight. Believed to be a naval model of the GJ-11 Sharp Sword UCAV, the drone is anticipated to fly off the Sort 076 Sichuan LHD (Touchdown Helicopter Dock).
The Sichuan itself is believed to have examined its EMALS (Electromagnetic Launch System) catapult for the primary time late in October, forward of harbor acceptance, with sea trials that would start by the tip of this 12 months or not less than in early 2026. The GJ-21 was additionally among the many six new CCAs/UCAVs unveiled within the Sep. 3 parade, of which we recognized and analyzed three plane.
The Hongdu GJ-11 was equally formally unveiled within the Oct. 2019 parade, evidencing that it’s meant to be an operational system, going by the PLA custom of displaying in parades gear it means to accumulate.
Because it appears, for the primary time clear pictures of a GJ-21 in flight are posted and this one – based mostly on the nonetheless put in pitots – has its tail hook down. pic.twitter.com/5h1nVZHzIe
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 1, 2025
Chinese language army aviation analyst Andreas Rupprecht, who shared the image of the GJ-21 in flight, had beforehand recognized the quantity ‘21’ in two captures of the plane earlier than the parade, and the precise truck-mounted shows in the course of the present. He additionally designated the UCAV because the GJ-11J, which could denote the naval variant.
That is unusual & fascinating🤔 … This GJ-21 – because it appears seen right here in the course of the rehearsals for the parade – has clearly significantly better seen Chinese language Navy markings & titles together with the “21”.So has it been repainted simply previous to the parade?
(through @齐天的孙猴子) pic.twitter.com/kAXPMwy0uo
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 3, 2025
It does subsequently seem that the GJ-11/GJ-21’s operationalization is being aligned with the CNS Sichuan LHD’s harbor and sea trials. The conclusion that the LHD is supposed to function the jet is close to unanimous, on condition that mock ups of the UCAV have been seen at take a look at websites representing that ship.
It have to be famous, nevertheless, that the GJ-11 has been beforehand depicted in an idea video from 2022 on CCTV 7 flying with the twin-seat model of the J-20, the J-20S, in a basic CCA position.
GJ-21 no. 21 top-view!
(through @太湖军I名) pic.twitter.com/qVK7Wot7RS
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 5, 2025
First flight of GJ-21
Essentially the most placing and unmistakable characteristic seen within the picture is the lowered tail-hook, meant to attach with the arrestor cables whereas touchdown on the Sichuan. Rupprecht mentioned within the submit on X: “Because it appears, for the primary time clear pictures of a GJ-21 in flight are posted and this one – based mostly on the nonetheless put in pitots – has its tail hook down.”
We can’t see any outlines within the ventral aspect suggesting the presence of weapons bays. This is also as a result of the image is just not sharp sufficient to point out the existence of closed doorways, concealing weapons bays.
As I already famous, it would take weeks if not months to analyse the quantity of reports that had been revealed in the course of the parade … however right here one other shock, the GJ-21 no. 21 clearly has a H-number beneath its rear ventral fuselage.
Seems to be like H65180xx (?) and as such H6518021! 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TxlfGDTFvQ
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 5, 2025
‘SomePLAOSINT’ claimed that the GJ-21 within the newest picture is an “early prototype,” suggesting the chance that a number of examples have been produced and are being examined concurrently.
Two mock-ups of the naval GJ-11J – or allegedly GJ-21 – with numbers 21 & 22. pic.twitter.com/aR9SkjdbbV
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 2, 2025
Rupprecht responded within the affirmative when requested if the GJ-21 might be known as the naval model of the GJ-11. “It was beforehand designated, inside the OSINT group, because the GJ-11H and later GJ-11J,” he informed The Aviationist.
Position in naval, amphibious warfare
The mock-ups on the take a look at websites, the emergence within the parade and the presence of a catapult on the Sichuan merely confirmed that the GJ-11/GJ-21 is supposed to be a flying instance and meant to function from the amphibious assault ship, Nonetheless, this nonetheless leaves the query open about its weaponized position.
On condition that elementary strike functionality is now a staple throughout all unmanned ISR aerial techniques, it’s unlikely the GJ-21/GJ-11 wouldn’t be armed. Such Low-Observable/stealth techniques provide an natural excessive/medium-altitude surveillance of potential touchdown zones, seashores and coast strains earlier than releasing amphibious tanks and troops.
They’ll stay within the air each earlier than or all through the touchdown, enhancing situational consciousness for troops and tanks who is likely to be dealing with heavy resistance from beachhead defenses, bunkers or artillery encampments. If the GJ-21/GJ-11 is armed, it may possibly conduct selective strikes on key tactical command-control and logistical nodes.
Lastly, we can’t rule out the chance that the GJ-21 is also experimented with from the Fujian sooner or later, or the Sort 004 provider. What place unmanned techniques have within the PLA Navy’s imaginative and prescient is just not recognized.
Nonetheless, it’s evident that it diverges considerably from the US Navy’s imaginative and prescient, given how the service is evolving the MQ-25 Stingray primarily for an aerial refueling position.
Some newly launched pictures of the 4 CCA/UCAVs in the course of the rehearsals for the third September parade. pic.twitter.com/dmSmb9O8dy
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 14, 2025
This displays its strategic blue water, lengthy expeditionary and energy projection roles, and spares the F/A-18E/F Tremendous Hornet of the refueling operate. Within the western Pacific notably, the Stingray represents an answer to the “tyranny of distance” within the huge ocean areas by refueling fighters autonomously.
New pictures of Sichuan EMALS take a look at and Sort 004
In the meantime, Chinese language accounts have shared a brand new unofficial image of the Sort 076 Sichuan’s EMALS catapult take a look at, displaying the dummy weight used for the trial. The earlier picture didn’t present the consultant take a look at object, normally a sled.
試験用のダミーウェイトを搭載しているところを民間機の客席から撮影された076型強襲揚陸艦”四川(51)”。 pic.twitter.com/lRZMBVoqXA
— お砂糖wsnbn (@sugar_wsnbn) October 28, 2025
Rupprecht additionally just lately shared a brand new picture final month of the alleged new Sort 004 provider’s island on the Wuhan take a look at website.
Because it appears, these are the thus far clearest pictures of the alleged 004 provider‘s Island on the Wuhan take a look at website. pic.twitter.com/gOOtFfNO00
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 11, 2025
He had additionally shared unofficial and satellite tv for pc pictures of a dry dock, the place, whereas the hull of the Sort 004 is just not seen, there’s some indication of modular constructions being introduced collectively for meeting. The dry dock nevertheless is evidently too small for the Sort 004 tremendous provider’s sort, meant as an analogue to the USS Gerald R. Ford.
A brand new picture of the suspected 004 plane provider. pic.twitter.com/2xHTwCrdwA
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 14, 2025
