Unmanned Fighter
GJ-11 Sharp Sword
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword is a Chinese stealth flying-wing unmanned combat aircraft built by AVIC Hongdu, evolved from the Lijian demonstrator that first flew in 2013. It appeared in the PLA’s 3 September 2025 parade and is reported to be in service.
China|AVIC (Hongdu & Shenyang)What Is the GJ-11 Sharp Sword? Overview, History and Development
The GJ-11 grew out of the Lijian (Sharp Sword) demonstrator, which flew on 21 November 2013 under AVIC Hongdu, with Shenyang assisting production. Estimates from imagery and reports, not official figures, give a span of about 14 m, a length of about 10 m, a speed near Mach 0.8, a range of about 4,000 km and a payload of about 2 t in internal bays. It has a single turbofan, reportedly derived from the WS-13 or WS-10 family.
Low-rate production has been reported since around 2020–2021, and the drone appeared in the 3 September 2025 Beijing parade. The PLA Air Force and possibly the Navy operate it, with numbers unknown. A naval version has been reported for the Type 076 ship Sichuan, and loyal-wingman roles with the J-20 and J-16 are reported. No combat use is known. Rivals include the S-70, XQ-58 and MQ-28.
GJ-11 Sharp Sword Specifications: Endurance, Range, Payload and Sensors
GJ-11 Sharp Sword Variants and Versions Compared
The technology demonstrator that first flew on 21 November 2013 and led to the production drone.
The air force version, reported in low-rate production since about 2020–2021 and shown in the 2025 parade.
A reported carrier-capable version, with rumoured use on the Type 076 amphibious assault ship, not officially confirmed.
Which Countries Use the GJ-11 Sharp Sword? Operators and Users
ChinaGJ-11 Sharp Sword FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does the GJ-11 cost?
The GJ-11 has no published price, and estimates range widely and are unconfirmed. China does not release procurement data, and the drone has not been offered for export.
How fast is the GJ-11 Sharp Sword?
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword is estimated to fly at about Mach 0.8 with a range of about 4,000 km. These are estimates from imagery and reports, as China has not published official specifications.
Is the GJ-11 a stealth drone?
The GJ-11 is a flying-wing drone with internal weapons bays and a low-observable design, comparable to the US X-47B and Russian S-70. Its actual radar signature is not publicly known.
Which countries use the GJ-11?
The GJ-11 is used only by China, with the PLA Air Force and possibly the Navy as operators. It has not been exported, as China’s drone export offers are limited to the Wing Loong and CH-series.
GJ-11 vs S-70 Okhotnik: which is better?
The GJ-11 appears further along, as it was shown in a 2025 parade and is reported in low-rate production, while the Russian S-70 remains in testing. The S-70 is reportedly larger, but both sets of figures are unverified.
Is the GJ-11 a fighter?
The GJ-11 is not a fighter but a flying-wing loyal-wingman or strike drone. It is reported to team with the J-20 and J-16 and carries about 2 t in internal bays, and no combat use is known.