GJ-11 Sharp Sword

The GJ-11 Sharp Sword (利剑, Lijian) is China's first flying-wing stealth UCAV, publicly revealed at the 2019 National Day parade after years of development at AVIC's Shenyang Aircraft Design Research Institute. A large tailless flying wing with clean blended surfaces and edge-aligned weapons bay doors, the GJ-11 bears a strong conceptual resemblance to Northrop Grumman's X-47B and the US B-21 Raider in its design philosophy. The aircraft reportedly uses an internal weapons bay to maintain low radar cross-section, and its twin-exhaust configuration above the fuselage shielding reduces infrared signature. In the 2019 parade, the GJ-11 appeared to be a development prototype; subsequent analysis suggested active flight testing continued into 2024.

The significance of the GJ-11 lies in what it represents: China's intent to field a stealth UCAV capable of penetrating defended airspace in a Taiwan Strait or South China Sea scenario without risking a human pilot. Operating in concert with J-20 stealth fighters, GJ-11s could theoretically suppress or destroy enemy air defense networks, execute precision strikes on naval surface combatants, or conduct ISR missions in denied environments. Western intelligence assessments treat the GJ-11 as a future-generation threat, potentially entering limited service in the late 2020s if development stays on track.