The GJ-11 stealth drone appears with a PL-15E missile, heralding the emergence of China’s kill web
ByFabrice Wolf
09/02/2026
Recently released images reportedly show the Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth drone with a PL-15E air-to-air missile, possibly at the moment of launch. Their origin and the reality of the test still need to be confirmed. Until now mainly associated with reconnaissance and ground strikes, this flying-wing aircraft is now appearing in an air-combat configuration. This observation is not sufficient to make it an operational interceptor, but it reveals a new component of the distributed combat web that Chinese forces are building around their stealth fighters.
Table of contents
- GJ-11 and PL-15E in an air-to-air configuration
- J-20, electronic warfare and Chinese drones
- The People’s Liberation Army is preparing a distributed architecture
GJ-11 and PL-15E in an air-to-air configuration
Developed by the HAIG aerospace group, the GJ-11 is approximately 10 metres long and has a 14-metre wingspan. Its maximum take-off weight is estimated at 10,000 kg, with a payload of up to 2,000 kg in its internal bays. Published data attribute it a maximum range of 4,000 km and an endurance close to six hours. Its tailless airframe and internal stores reduce its radar signature, enabling it to accompany crewed aircraft in heavily defended airspace.
The PL-15E reportedly observed with the drone is the export version of the Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missile. It is said to feature an active electronically scanned array radar seeker and an estimated range of 145 km, while its speed is in the high-supersonic range. The physical integration of such a weapon would nevertheless represent a different step from autonomous target detection, identification, firing authorization and missile guidance in a jammed environment. The available images do not establish that this entire chain has been validated.
The GJ-11 is intended to operate alongside the J-20, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s principal stealth fighter. In such an organization, the drone can move ahead of the crewed aircraft, collect data and carry weapons, while information is shared among several platforms. This kill web, or distributed combat web, therefore no longer relies on a fixed sequence between a sensor and a shooter. Each connected aircraft can contribute to detection, transmission or engagement according to its position and capabilities.
The GJ-11 stealth drone appears with a PL-15E missile, heralding the emergence of China’s kill web
The reported appearance of a GJ-11 carrying a PL-15E highlights China’s growing distributed air-combat architecture around the J-20.meta-defense.fr
That's false ... it is a well-known CG and not a real image!
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