China’s air force, for the first time, showed a stealth drone flying in formation with a J-20 stealth fighter and a J-16D aircraft
China ’s air force on Tuesday released a commemorative microfilm that, for the first time in official footage, showed a stealth drone flying in formation with a J-20 stealth fighter and a J-16D electronic warfare aircraft, a display Beijing’s military commentators said demonstrates growing manned-unmanned teaming capabilities.
The short film, titled “Far-Reaching Dreams,” was posted to mark the 76th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and traces developments in Chinese aviation through the eyes of an ordinary family, state broadcaster China Central Television said. In scenes highlighted by state media, a GJ-11 stealth attack drone, shown departing its hangar and joining a J-20 and a J-16D in flight, appeared to act as an autonomous partner to the crewed aircraft.GJ-11 ‘Sharp Sword’ droneState outlets identified the drone in the footage as “Xuanlong” and the J-20 by its nickname, “Weilong.” CCTV described the sequence as the first public display of the PLA Air Force’s manned-unmanned teaming and stated that the imagery likely originated from training exercises.Chinese military commentators hailed the pairing as a logical match for modern strike operations, where electronic warfare, stealth, and unmanned systems combine to suppress and penetrate enemy air defenses.“J-16D can conduct jamming and paralyze hostile radar systems, while the J-20 and GJ-11, taking advantage of their stealth capabilities, can break through the hostile defense line and destroy key targets,” Song Zhongping, a military affairs expert quoted by the Global Times, said Tuesday. “The GJ-11 could act as an extension of the manned aircraft, going deeper into high-risk zones.”Lastest drone showcased in Chinese PLA Air Force's microfilmTo mark the 76th founding anniversary, the Chinese #PLA #AirForce released a microfilm titled 'Far-Reaching Dreams' on Tuesday. The microfilm released footage of a #GJ11 stealth #drone teaming up with a #J20 stealth… pic.twitter.com/WpFZLYygOc— China Military Bugle November 11, 2025Wang Ya’nan, editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times the GJ-11 might fly ahead of manned aircraft to perform armed reconnaissance or operate as a “wingman” to protect crewed jets. Both commentators suggested the footage reflected a certain maturity in China’s efforts to link drones, fighters, and support aircraft into coordinated packages.The GJ-11, widely known as the “Sharp Sword” in Western reporting, first attracted attention after it appeared in the 2019 National Day parade. Chinese and international media accounts describe the flying-wing drone as approximately 10 meters long with a wingspan of nearly 14 meters , an internal weapons bay, and designs intended to reduce its radar signature. The platform has been displayed with visible folding hinges, a feature analysts say would ease storage aboard ships.Fifth-generation fightersState reports and foreign coverage have also described a naval variant of the GJ-11, and the drone was included in Beijing’s September parade alongside carrier-capable systems. The South China Morning Post has reported operational ranges of more than 1,500 kilometers in some configurations, but Chinese authorities have not published formal specifications.Analysts say the combination of the GJ-11, J-20, and J-16D would enable China to apply layered effects in contested airspace, including electronic warfare and suppression of enemy air defenses from the J-16D, stealthy penetration by the J-20, and expendable or high-endurance strike and surveillance capabilities by unmanned aircraft.“Manned-unmanned teaming is a priority for major air forces,” said Ian Easton, a Beijing-based analyst not connected to the PLA. “What matters is not just hardware but command and control, secure data links, and doctrine. Footage is a signal of progress, but it does not prove operational readiness.”Western observers often view Chinese displays through a dual lens of capability and messaging. Footage released by state media serves public relations and deterrence aims even as it may reflect genuine technological advances.The PLA has been investing heavily in autonomous systems, electronic warfare, and stealth platforms as part of broader efforts to modernize its air and naval forces. The microfilm’s release comes amid wider Chinese moves to integrate drones into operations ranging from surveillance to strike roles, and to develop carrier-borne and ship-launched unmanned platforms.Beijing’s state media framed Tuesday’s release as a celebration of national progress; outside analysts said it was also a clear demonstration of the direction of China’s aviation development, more integrated, more autonomous, and increasingly focused on manned-unmanned teaming in high-end operations.
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