China has released the first real images of the stealth combat drone GJ-11, officially known as “Mysterious Dragon,” in flight alongside the J-20 and J-16D fighters.
The video was presented during the 76th anniversary celebrations of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), marking the first time the country has shown the model in joint operation with piloted aircraft. This moment symbolizes a significant advancement in China’s efforts to integrate combat drones into its air forces, a concept that had previously only been suggested by graphic representations and satellite images.
Developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), a subsidiary of AVIC, the GJ-11 is a flying-wing drone designed for attack and reconnaissance missions in hostile environments, with an emphasis on stealth. Its design is similar to projects like Dassault’s nEUROn and Sukhoi’s S-70 Okhotnik-B. The model incorporates internal weapon bays, radar-absorbing materials, and a concealed exhaust system to reduce its thermal signature, allowing it to operate in heavily defended areas.
Although it first flew in 2013, its existence was only confirmed publicly six years later, during the National Day parade in Beijing in 2019.
The released video shows the GJ-11 flying in formation with the J-20 and J-16D, suggesting tests of cooperation between piloted and unmanned aircraft, a concept known as Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T). It is still unclear whether the drone was controlled by pilots onboard or from the ground, but the interaction indicates that the country is advancing in the use of collaborative combat systems, where fighters like the J-20 could act as aerial controllers for drones. The presence of GJ-11 units at the Shigatse airbase in Tibet strengthens the hypothesis that the model is already undergoing operational testing, possibly focusing on strategic areas near the Indian border.
In addition to the land-based version, China is working on a naval variant of the GJ-11, called the GJ-21, designed to operate from aircraft carriers and amphibious ships of the Type 076. The country is also investing in other flying-wing stealth drones, such as the CH-7, which was recently spotted in flight. These initiatives demonstrate China’s strong commitment to developing advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, solidifying its position in the global race for stealth combat technologies, a field in which powers such as Russia, India, and France are also seeking to expand their capabilities.
Source: The Aviationist / The War Zone | Photo: X @sugar_wsnbn | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
PLAAF成立76周年記念動画内にて公開されたGJ-11 ステルスUCAV。
部隊運用機の公式メディアでの公開はこれが初ですが、実際には数年前から部隊運用中。
動画内で有人機との協調飛行中のGJ-11に与えられたコードは”玄龙”。
なおGJ-11は派生型として海軍向け艦載機型のGJ-21が存在。 https://t.co/3PZrrdBnSq pic.twitter.com/WBunfUg79x— お砂糖wsnbn (@sugar_wsnbn) November 11, 2025
