Chinese UAVs News & Discussions

[dbc]

Good idea. No need to have a built-in toilet or a mini fridge or a microwave for long range attacks.

but it has a bar..

The UAV has similiar wingspan of B-21 but with even larger and longer fulesage, make it suitable to have large weapon bars to carry air-strike weapons.

 

[niubi]

100 proof liquor is a weapon.

 

[yusheng]

Concept for a Giant Unmanned Bomber: Armed with 1 Thunder-1 and 2 YJ-21 Hypersonic Missiles!

Recently, the test flight of the giant stealth unmanned bomber (GJ-X) has sparked quite a buzz. This drone features a flying wing design with a wingspan of 42 meters, surpassing the B-21's 40-meter wingspan. Many analysts suggest that its maximum takeoff weight could reach 80-100 tons.

If this large flying wing supply drone can achieve a takeoff weight of 80-100 tons, its internal payload capacity might reach around 15 tons. This means it could potentially carry one Thunder-1 air-launched medium-to-long-range ballistic missile (approximately 12 tons) and two other small hypersonic missiles. Such a drone would be exceptionally formidable.


from:　单手搓核弹

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

There is a couple other threads related to this new Chinese drone. Recommend combining all into a single thread.

 

[wangdefa]

Stealth, unmanned, large bombers. put together.

 

[Beijingwalker]

42-Meter Chinese Stealth UAV Prototype Captured in Flight​

GJ-X's design and scale suggest multi-role potential, drawing parallels to U.S. B-21 Raider

Published 2025.10.22. 15:57

Ultra-large stealth unmanned aircraft 'GJ-X' under development by China. /X

A video has captured what is believed to be the prototype of the "GJ (Gongji·Attack)-X," a super-large stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under development by China. The GJ-X is an unofficial designation, previously spotted only in satellite imagery last month.

According to the U.S. military-focused media outlet *The War Zone* on the 19th, the aircraft was first identified in satellite images in September at a large test flight facility in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

At the time, the outlet estimated the UAV’s wingspan to be approximately 42 meters, based on expert analysis. This scale is exceptionally rare for a stealth UAV. Some analysts suggest the aircraft may be comparable to the U.S. B-21 Raider, the next-generation stealth strategic bomber currently under development. The B-21 is expected to operate both conventional and nuclear weapons and will form a core part of the U.S. Air Force’s bomber fleet alongside the B-52.

The newly released short video shows the "GJ-X" prototype in flight. The aircraft’s tail features split control surfaces on both sides—a design also used in the U.S. B-2 stealth bomber, as noted by *The War Zone*. A protruding structure believed to be an engine exhaust was also observed on top of the tail, raising the possibility that the aircraft uses a twin-engine configuration.

Notably, the aircraft’s underside uses a darker "two-tone, two-color" paint scheme compared to its upper surface. Experts explain that this camouflage technique makes it harder to discern the aircraft’s exact shape from the ground, complicating visual detection.

However, the UAV’s primary purpose remains unclear. Some speculate it is designed for strike missions as a super-large unmanned platform, while others suggest it could serve as a high-altitude, long-endurance reconnaissance aircraft similar to the U.S. Air Force’s secretive RQ-180. Given its size and shape, *The War Zone* notes that multi-role operations—combining reconnaissance and strike capabilities—cannot be ruled out.

On September, the 'GJ-X' presumed aircraft confirmed by satellite imagery at a large test airfield in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. /The War Zone

China has recently been intensifying efforts in developing stealth fighters and UAVs. Following test flights of the sixth-generation J-36 fighter, additional trials of the J-50 have been observed. *The War Zone* remarked, "The speed at which China is advancing in cutting-edge fighter development is truly astonishing. There is likely far more underway beneath the surface."

42-Meter Chinese Stealth UAV Prototype Captured in Flight

42-Meter Chinese Stealth UAV Prototype Captured in Flight GJ-Xs design and scale suggest multi-role potential, drawing parallels to U.S. B-21 Raider

www.chosun.com

 

[Aziqbal]

a 42 m wing span ? is this for real ?

42m ?? what on earth is China building here?

will they simply build a unmanned stealth bomber which can delivery nuclear weapons ?

2025 has been China's year

they have come out on top in almost every single facet of combat from land, air and sea

 

[iblini]

what on earth is China building here?

A whole set of next gen aerial platforms.

 

[RealNapster]

a 42 m wing span ? is this for real ?

42m ?? what on earth is China building here?

will they simply build a unmanned stealth bomber which can delivery nuclear weapons ?

2025 has been China's year

they have come out on top in almost every single facet of combat from land, air and sea

Maybe they are aiming for something like this

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[iblini]

 

[vizier]

View attachment 156559

Seems to be a very capabile long range bomber, recon platform. Congrats to Chinese friends.

Another idea is using this as an a2a missile truck. It is an older cold war idea to equip bombers with a2a missiles and it was discarded because of the cost of installing additional equipment like targeting systems for a2a missiles and fighter aircraft escort was less costly. However a datalink connected to an awacs flying deep inside mainland can provide the target info to a drone so there can be less equipment needed to do this currently. It does not need its own radar to track targets.

Another option is using it as a stealth comm relay to control many other uavs in longer ranges. Sort of a stealth communication hub or a pseudo satellite which cannot be detected and taken down. In case satellite communication is jammed or satellites are disabled this can be an option as well.

 

[iblini]

Seems to be a very capabile long range bomber, recon platform. Congrats to Chinese friends.

Another idea is using this as an a2a missile truck. It is an older cold war idea to equip bombers with a2a missiles and it was discarded because of the cost of installing additional equipment like targeting systems for a2a missiles and fighter aircraft escort was less costly. However a datalink connected to an awacs flying deep inside mainland can provide the target info to a drone so there can be less equipment needed to do this currently. It does not need its own radar to track targets.

Another option is using it as a stealth comm relay to control many other uavs in longer ranges. Sort of a stealth communication hub or a pseudo satellite which cannot be detected and taken down. In case satellite communication is jammed or satellites are disabled this can be an option as well.

It's part of next gen aerial platforms alone with it's bigger cousin and two sixth gen manned/unmanned jets, so all are being considered since day 1.

 

[iblini]

 

[Deino]

Die the first time clear images of a GJ-21 (IMO a prototype)in the air were posted

 

[Hendarto]

Looking forward to the test flight aboard Fujian

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