The GJ-21, believed to be a naval variant of the GJ-11, is expected to operate from the Type 006 Sichuan LHD after mockups of the drone were spotted at test sites depicting the ship.
China’s GJ-21 UCAV was caught while flying over what is considered its first clear image in flight. Believed to be a naval version of the GJ-11 Sharp Sword UCAV, the drone is expected to fly from the Sichuan Type 076 LHD (helicopter landing dock).
Sichuan itself is believed to have tested its EMALS (Electromagnetic Launch System) catapult for the first time in late October, ahead of port acceptance, with sea trials potentially beginning later this year or at least early 2026. The GJ-21 was also among the six new CCA/UCAVs unveiled at the September 3 parade, of which we identified and analyzed three aircraft.
The Hongdu GJ-11 was also officially presented at the October 2019 parade, proving that it is intended to be an operational system, following the PLA’s tradition of displaying the equipment it intends to acquire at parades.
Apparently, for the first time clear images of a GJ-21 in flight are published and this one, based on the pitots still installed, has the tail hook lowered. pic.twitter.com/5h1nVZHzIe
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 1, 2025
Chinese military aviation analyst Andreas Rupprecht, who shared the image of the GJ-21 in flight, had previously identified the number ’21’ on two shots of the plane before the parade and the actual truck-mounted displays during the show. It also designated the UCAV as GJ-11J, which could denote the naval variant.
This is strange and interesting🤔… This GJ-21, as seen here during parade rehearsals, clearly has much more visible Chinese Navy markings and titles, including the “21”.
So they repainted it just before the parade?(via @齐天的孙猴子) pic.twitter.com/kAXPMwy0uo
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 3, 2025
Therefore, it appears that the commissioning of the GJ-11/GJ-21 is being aligned with the port and sea trials of the CNS Sichuan LHD. The conclusion that the LHD is intended to operate the aircraft is almost unanimous, given that mockups of the UCAV have been published. seen at test sites representing that ship.
However, it is worth noting that the GJ-11 was previously shown in a 2022 concept video on CCTV 7 flying with the two-seat version of the J-20, the J-20S, in a classic CCA role.
GJ-21 no. 21 top view!
(via @太湖军I名) pic.twitter.com/qVK7Wot7RS
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 5, 2025
First flight of the GJ-21
The most striking and unmistakable feature seen in the image is the lowered tail hook, intended to connect with the arresting cables while landing in the Sichuan. Rupprecht said in the post on
We cannot see any outline on the ventral side that suggests the presence of weapons compartments. This could also be because the image is not sharp enough to show the existence of closed doors hiding weapon compartments.
As I already pointed out, it will take weeks if not months to analyze the amount of news that was revealed during the parade… but here is another surprise, not the GJ-21. 21 clearly has an H number below its rear ventral fuselage.
It looks like H65180xx (?) and as such H6518021! 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TxlfGDTFvQ
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 5, 2025
‘Some PLAOSINT’ stated that the GJ-21 in the last image is an “early prototype”, suggesting the possibility that some examples may have been produced and are being tested simultaneously.
Two models of the naval GJ-11J (or supposedly GJ-21) with numbers 21 and 22. pic.twitter.com/aR9SkjdbbV
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 2, 2025
Rupprecht responded affirmatively when asked if the GJ-21 could be called the naval version of the GJ-11. “It was previously designated, within the OSINT community, as GJ-11H and then GJ-11J,” he said. The aviationist.
Role in naval and amphibious warfare
The mock-ups at the test sites, the appearance at the parade and the presence of a catapult in the Sichuan simply confirmed that the GJ-11/GJ-21 is intended to be a flying example and to operate from the amphibious assault ship. However, this still leaves open the question about its role as a weapon.
Given that elemental strike capability is now a staple in all unmanned ISR aerial systems, it is unlikely that the GJ-21/GJ-11 will be unarmed. These stealth/low observability systems provide organic high/medium altitude surveillance of potential landing zones, beaches and coastlines before releasing tanks and amphibious troops.
They can remain airborne before or during landing, improving situational awareness for troops and tanks that might face heavy resistance from beachhead defenses, bunkers or artillery camps. If the GJ-21/GJ-11 is armed, it can conduct targeted attacks on key tactical command control and logistics nodes.
Finally, we cannot rule out the possibility that in the future it may also be possible to experiment with Fujian’s GJ-21 or with the Type 004 aircraft carrier. It is unknown what place unmanned systems occupy in the PLA Navy’s vision.
However, it clearly differs significantly from the US Navy’s vision, as the service is evolving the MQ-25 Stingray primarily for an in-flight refueling role.
Some newly published images of the four CCA/UCAV during rehearsals for the September 3 parade. pic.twitter.com/dmSmb9O8dy
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 14, 2025
This reflects its strategic blue water, long expedition and power projection roles, and spares the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet the refueling role. Particularly in the western Pacific, the Stingray represents a solution to the “tyranny of distance” in the vast ocean spaces by autonomously refueling its fighters.
New images of the Sichuan EMALS test and Type 004
Meanwhile, Chinese accounts have shared new unofficial information. image of the Type 076 Sichuan EMALS catapult test, showing the simulated weight used for the test. The image above did not show the representative test object, typically 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)”. https://t.co/wyGA1nBWmH pic.twitter.com/lRZMBVoqXA
— お砂糖wsnbn (@sugar_wsnbn) October 28, 2025
Rupprecht also recently shared a new image last month of the alleged new Type 004 aircraft carrier island at the Wuhan test site.
These are apparently the clearest images yet of the alleged aircraft carrier 004 island at the Wuhan test site. pic.twitter.com/gOOtFfNO00
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 11, 2025
he also had shared Unofficial and satellite images of a dry dock, where, while the hull of Type 004 is not visible, there are some signs of modular structures being assembled for assembly. However, the dry dock is evidently too small for the Type 004 supercarrier, intended as an analogue of the USS Gerald R. Ford.
A new image of the alleged aircraft carrier 004. pic.twitter.com/2xHTwCrdwA
– @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 14, 2025
