The brand new UCAV will nearly actually translate into an acquisition for the PLA, given China’s custom to show new army programs in its parades.
We might have the primary unofficial picture of considered one of China’s CCAs (Collaborative Fight Plane) on the again of a truck being ready for the upcoming Sep. 3, 2025,, Victory Day parade. The grainy footage exhibits the UCAV along with a rotary wing unmanned plane and a Wing Loong-type drone .
Cursory observations hyperlink this UCAV to the FH-97 and FH-97A which have appeared in scale fashions since 2022 at exhibitions, proven dropping munitions from inside bays. Thus, it is a sturdy suggestion that the CCA might have been in some type derived from the FH-97 and, regardless of the origins, is slated to fly alongside the J-20 stealth fighter.
As we’ll clarify subsequently, it’s a completely different matter that some analysts have referred to as into query the existence of the FH-97 itself. The design additionally seems to resemble Basic Atomics’ YFQ-42A which, together with Anduril’s YFQ-44A, is slated to be among the many U.S. Air Pressure’s first CCAs meant to combat alongside manned fighters.
Because it appears, we lastly have a barely nearer look onto one of many CCA/UCAVs on a truck being ready for the September parade.
(Through REautomaton/SDF) pic.twitter.com/Ab0itdz5Gi
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 16, 2025
New CCA
In comparison with the FH-97, the brand new unnamed CCA is barely completely different, with a thicker and shorter nostril cone. The brand new plane seems to have a big inside quantity, given how it’s ‘fatter’ – for the shortage of a greater time period – than the FH-97 or the YFQ-42A. Nonetheless, it additionally is perhaps the case that the angle and the lighting could also be obscuring any distinguished chine line it might have.
And one other intersting discover by bsdnf/SDF:
„Intermeshing-rotor UAV like Kaman Ok-MAX/CQ-24A? Very compact & foldable rotor design, which implies it may be carried on ship. The big fuselage could also be used for transport missions just like the Ok-MAX, however nearer to Z-20 and extra cheap.“ pic.twitter.com/tBoWY4vv0B
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 16, 2025
The brand new CCA and the FH-97, nevertheless, share the broad design configuration. This features a top-mounted engine, and a cranked-kite-type wing, considerably like GA-ASI’s MQ-20 Avenger UCAV. The canted vertical stabilizers are one other similarity. The kind of exhaust configuration can’t be discernible within the pixellated picture.
FH-97 Stealth UAV/loyal wingman together with FH-901 loitering munitions, meant to be launched from its inside weapons bay
It additionally options an electro-optical sensor pic.twitter.com/n3ma2OVSBy
— Húrin (@Hurin92) June 4, 2023
FH-97 and FH-97A
The FH-97A, which final appeared on-line in November 2024 in one other full-sized scale mannequin, had side-mounted intakes and a chin-mounted EOTS (Electro-Optical Monitoring System), just like the J-20. This was completely different from different FH-97A scale fashions seen within the November 2022 version of the Zhuhai Air Present, which had the EOTS mounted on prime, together with completely different munitions.
FH-97忠诚僚机的舰载版本FH-97A无人机已在中国珠海航展亮相。它将与076和福建航空母舰上的 J-35 战斗机一起并肩作战。 pic.twitter.com/FASordpw3a
— Eason Mao☢ (@KELMAND1) November 12, 2024
Andreas Rupprecht, a number one Chinese language army aviation researcher, due to this fact even questioned whether or not the unique FH-97 was “ever constructed and flown,” concluding it may need been “only a fancy airshow mannequin.” The precise parade and clearer pictures, in the event that they emerge within the run as much as the day of the present, will present how a lot the brand new CCA shares with the FH-97 – or no matter unmanned CCA the notional designation envisioned.
Nicely, simply to make certain regarding the FH-97A … was the unique FH-97 ever constructed and flown? IMO not and I feel it was up to now only a fancy airshow mannequin.
Or am I flawed? 🤔
(Picture by way of @太湖啥个 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/zZIKPIENGx
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 2, 2022
We’re nonetheless assuming these are two separate plane, till extra gentle is shed. Nonetheless, that mission has served as some type of inspiration for the CCA we see right here, which, since it’ll be displayed in a parade, is certain to translate right into a flying instance – if it hasn’t already.
Rick Joe, one other main Chinese language army analyst, shared a picture of a number of new unmanned programs on the highest of show vehicles, which could possibly be a part of a devoted “UAV contingent” within the Victory Day parade. Joe added that the PLA has been working “quietly behind the scenes” on CCAs and UCAVs specializing in air-to-air fight, and the FH-97 and its FH-97A variant “are only a tiny sliver of business effort” in that path.
GE from June exhibits a UAV contingent could also be a part of the Victory Day parade in Sept (like 2019 parade).We see GJ-11 sample (boxed crimson), and a ?MALE airframe (black).
A number of new airframes which may be CCA in nature (blue) additionally seen.Show vehicles are 12.5m lengthy, for scale. pic.twitter.com/5oucbzRwpf
— Rick Joe (@RickJoe_PLA) July 17, 2025
J-20
The J-20 has quickly progressed and now the newer J-20A transitioned to the homegrown fifth era WS-15 supercruise-capable engine, changing the Russian Saturn AL-31 and the Chinese language WS-10 turbofans. The dual-seat J-20S broke cowl in August 2022 and presumably additionally entered lively service, given photographs that circulated in early July. In actual fact, the paint schemes, markings and tail numbers counsel transition from prototype testing section, and attainable task to an operational unit.
Being the primary fifth-generation stealth fighter to have a dual-seat variant, the J-20S is extra suited to controlling collaborative UCAVs, in addition to the extra superior digital warfare, goal acquisition and networking features. Curiously, one other plane depicted on CCTV because the J-20’s loyal wingman is the GJ-11 Sharp Sword.
To this point probably the greatest Photos of a PLAAF J-20S pic.twitter.com/q0ahylT5Os
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 8, 2025
That pairing nevertheless now seems dim, provided that the GJ-11’s mock-ups have been seen in satellite tv for pc photographs of a full-sized service take a look at facility in late December final 12 months and a coaching website on Changxing island in Shanghai in June 2024.
Through ACuriousPLAFan/SDF: 😮
Supposedly not a latest picture, however nonetheless the service mock-up and take a look at facility at Wuhan has gained some new plane: Seen now are clearly mock-ups of J-15, J-35, KJ-600 and a GJ-11H on the flight deck.
(Picture by way of @伏尔戈星图 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/UL6uk81zh4
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) December 19, 2023
Provided that the mock-up was only a mile away from the place China’s new Kind 076 LHD (Touchdown Helicopter Dock) is being constructed, and Chinese language army observers famous that the take a look at facility’s dimensions are nearer to the Kind 076’s flight deck, the GJ-11 may presumably be meant to function from there. Previous to that, the GJ-11 was unveiled on the Singapore Air Present in February 2024.
Conclusion
We’ve got additionally seen different Chinese language UCAVs, like the large CH-7 proven throughout its taxi trials six months after showing in exhibition stalls and experiences on International Occasions that mentioned it had accomplished testing, improvement section, and is poised to enter operational service. Whether or not it’ll seem through the September parade stays to be seen.
The GJ-11, which first appeared within the October 2019 parade, additionally made it as a flying instance. This is a sign that the CCA on the truck is actually slated to be acquired and future unofficial movies would possibly seize it flying overhead.
🇨🇳FH-97A UCAV mannequin with completely different munitions: FT-8B, FT-8C, FT-8D, FT-9 or FH-901 loitering munition in Zhuhai Airshow 2022(by way of wb/艺伟影像) pic.twitter.com/JYTt8obYfg
— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) November 3, 2022
China has already flown a 3rd next-generation jet, after the J-36 and the J-XDS. Even when we conclude this being a PR stunt with a propaganda aim, with the fast introduction of recent era manned and unmanned programs, there are too many ‘flying examples’ to be written off as mere political statements.
