Chinese UAVs News & Discussions

[Michael]

Does anyone know in what way the CS-5000T differs in role and capabilities from the GJ-11?

Per my understanding, the CS-5000T is more a testbed/demonstrator still for a future ISR/strike UAV/UCAV.

@Michael

The known information is that GJ-11 is larger than CS-5000T.
There are currently several models of this type of drone. They come from different enterprises.
Now, China's drones have been fully industrialized, and a large number of mature technologies and accessories can be easily purchased in the market. Anyone can easily purchase accessories, design and manufacture their own bodies, and create drones of any shape. Invisible skin is also fully mature and industrialized, making it easy for enterprises to buy this thing.
Many companies use this method to launch cool looking drones to attract customers. GJ11 is currently the only stealth drone publicly announced by PLA.
If you go to Douyin, you will find many uniquely shaped drones made by individuals.
So, studying these cool looking drones now doesn't make much sense.

 

[Deino]

The known information is that GJ-11 is larger than CS-5000T.
There are currently several models of this type of drone. They come from different enterprises.
Now, China's drones have been fully industrialized, and a large number of mature technologies and accessories can be easily purchased in the market. Anyone can easily purchase accessories, design and manufacture their own bodies, and create drones of any shape. Invisible skin is also fully mature and industrialized, making it easy for enterprises to buy this thing.
Many companies use this method to launch cool looking drones to attract customers. GJ11 is currently the only stealth drone publicly announced by PLA.
If you go to Douyin, you will find many uniquely shaped drones made by individuals.
So, studying these cool looking drones now doesn't make much sense.

What I find interesting, we know the GJ-11 - or better to say its demonstrator since 2012/13 … we assume, a second one was built and tested in 2015/16 (nor entirely sure About the date) … in 2019 the PLA reported when it was shown on the parade in Beijing as a mock-up, it would be already in service, even if we never saw one on any base nor flying anywhere.

Now, in August 2024 we‘ve seen one at Daocheng Yading for high-altitude testing (in a revised form) … and only recently we got images of flying ones.

Really interesting

 

[Michael]

What I find interesting, we know the GJ-11 - or better to say its demonstrator since 2012/13 … we assume, a second one was built and tested in 2015/16 (nor entirely sure About the date) … in 2019 the PLA reported when it was shown on the parade in Beijing as a mock-up, it would be already in service, even if we never saw one on any base nor flying anywhere.

Now, in August 2024 we‘ve seen one at Daocheng Yading for high-altitude testing (in a revised form) … and only recently we got images of flying ones.

Really interesting

There are many places in China where these drone formations can be tested and trained.
These experimental new tactical formation flight tests are usually conducted in places that are not easily photographed.

 

[Deino]

The War Zone has obtained satellite imagery from recent months that shows a pair of GJ-11 UCAVs at Malan/Uxxaktal AB, located in the Xinjiang province and home of the PLAAF's 178th UAV Brigade, a dedicated Drone Test & Training unit under the Flight Test and Training Base (FTTB).

via https://www.twz.com/.../chinese-flying-wing-ucav-testing...

The War Zone / @thewarzonewireby by Joseph Trevithick / @FranticGoat

 

[Michael]

The War Zone has obtained satellite imagery from recent months that shows a pair of GJ-11 UCAVs at Malan/Uxxaktal AB, located in the Xinjiang province and home of the PLAAF's 178th UAV Brigade, a dedicated Drone Test & Training unit under the Flight Test and Training Base (FTTB).

The one you posted is the Air Force version of the GJ11, the one below is the Navy shipboard version of the GJ11. there are some differences between them.

 

[Deino]

The one you posted is the Air Force version of the GJ11, the one below is the Navy shipboard version of the GJ11. there are some differences between them.

View attachment 63525

Yes, they are slightly different in wing-geometry (esp. wing-tips)

 

[Deino]

Wow ... if legit another major surprise!This WZ-7 UZAV carries the serial number "67084", what would correspond to a - at least to me unknown- 67th Air Brigade. "67th" could mean the former 23rd Bomber Division's 67th AR was reformed?

(Image via @Oneninety from Weibo)

 

[Hendarto]

PLA KVD-002 Missile launch

https://twitter.com/x/status/1833866389934989616

https://twitter.com/x/status/1833874703427223876