Believed to be a naval variant of the GJ-11, the GJ-21 is expected to operate from the Type 006 Sichuan LHD after mockups of the drone were spotted on test-sites representing the ship.
China’s GJ-21 UCAV was captured while flying overhead in what is considered to be 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 off the Type 076 Sichuan LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock).
The Sichuan itself is believed to have tested its EMALS (Electromagnetic Launch System) catapult for the first time late in October, ahead of harbor acceptance, with sea trials that could begin by the end of this year or at least in early 2026. The GJ-21 was also among the six new CCAs/UCAVs unveiled in the Sep. 3 parade, of which we identified and analyzed three aircraft.
The Hongdu GJ-11 was similarly officially unveiled in the Oct. 2019 parade, evidencing that it is meant to be an operational system, going by the PLA tradition of displaying in parades equipment it means to acquire.
As it seems, for the first time clear images of a GJ-21 in flight are posted and this one – based on the still installed pitots – has its tail hook down. pic.twitter.com/5h1nVZHzIe
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 1, 2025
Chinese military aviation analyst Andreas Rupprecht, who shared the picture of the GJ-21 in flight, had previously identified the number ‘21’ in two captures of the aircraft before the parade, and the actual truck-mounted displays during the show. He also designated the UCAV as the GJ-11J, which might denote the naval variant.
This is strange & interesting🤔 … This GJ-21 – as it seems seen here during the rehearsals for the parade – has clearly much better visible Chinese Navy markings & titles including the “21”.
So has it been repainted just prior to the parade?
(via @齐天的孙猴子) pic.twitter.com/kAXPMwy0uo
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 3, 2025
It does therefore appear that the GJ-11/GJ-21’s operationalization is being aligned with the CNS Sichuan LHD’s harbor and sea trials. The conclusion that the LHD is meant to operate the jet is near unanimous, given that mock ups of the UCAV have been seen at test sites representing that ship.
It must be noted, however, that the GJ-11 has been previously depicted in a concept video from 2022 on CCTV 7 flying with the twin-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 GJ-21
The most striking and unmistakable feature seen in the image is the lowered tail-hook, meant to connect with the arrestor cables while landing on the Sichuan. Rupprecht said in the post on X: “As it seems, for the first time clear images of a GJ-21 in flight are posted and this one – based on the still installed pitots – has its tail hook down.”
We cannot see any outlines in the ventral side suggesting the presence of weapons bays. This could also be because the picture is not sharp enough to show the existence of closed doors, concealing weapons bays.
As I already noted, it will take weeks if not months to analyse the amount of news that were revealed during the parade … but here another surprise, the GJ-21 no. 21 clearly has a H-number under its rear ventral fuselage.
Looks like H65180xx (?) and as such H6518021! 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TxlfGDTFvQ
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 5, 2025
‘SomePLAOSINT’ claimed that the GJ-21 in the latest image is an “early prototype,” suggesting the possibility that a few examples have been produced and are being tested simultaneously.
Two mock-ups of the naval GJ-11J – or allegedly GJ-21 – with numbers 21 & 22. pic.twitter.com/aR9SkjdbbV
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 2, 2025
Rupprecht responded in the affirmative 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 the GJ-11H and later GJ-11J,” he told The Aviationist.
Role in naval, amphibious warfare
The mock-ups at the test sites, the emergence in the parade and the presence of a catapult on the Sichuan merely confirmed that the GJ-11/GJ-21 is meant to be a flying example and meant to operate from the amphibious assault ship, However, this still leaves the question open about its weaponized role.
Given that elementary strike capability is now a staple across all unmanned ISR aerial systems, it is unlikely the GJ-21/GJ-11 would not be armed. Such Low-Observable/stealth systems offer an organic high/medium-altitude surveillance of potential landing zones, beaches and coast lines before releasing amphibious tanks and troops.
They can remain in the air both before or throughout the landing, enhancing situational awareness for troops and tanks who might be facing heavy resistance from beachhead defenses, bunkers or artillery encampments. If the GJ-21/GJ-11 is armed, it can conduct selective strikes on key tactical command-control and logistical nodes.
Lastly, we cannot rule out the possibility that the GJ-21 could also be experimented with from the Fujian in the future, or the Type 004 carrier. What place unmanned systems have in the PLA Navy’s vision is not known.
However, it is evident that it diverges significantly from the US Navy’s vision, given how the service is evolving the MQ-25 Stingray primarily for an aerial refueling role.
Some newly released images of the four CCA/UCAVs during the rehearsals for the 3rd September parade. pic.twitter.com/dmSmb9O8dy
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 14, 2025
This reflects its strategic blue water, long expeditionary and power projection roles, and spares the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet of the refueling function. In the western Pacific particularly, the Stingray represents a solution to the “tyranny of distance” in the vast ocean spaces by refueling fighters autonomously.
New images of Sichuan EMALS test and Type 004
Meanwhile, Chinese accounts have shared a new unofficial picture of the Type 076 Sichuan’s EMALS catapult test, showing the dummy weight used for the trial. The previous image did not show the representative test object, usually 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 carrier’s island at the Wuhan test site.
As it seems, these are the so far clearest images of the alleged 004 carrier‘s Island at the Wuhan test site. pic.twitter.com/gOOtFfNO00
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 11, 2025
He had also shared unofficial and satellite images of a dry dock, where, while the hull of the Type 004 is not visible, there is some indication of modular structures being brought together for assembly. The dry dock however is evidently too small for the Type 004 super carrier’s type, meant as an analogue to the USS Gerald R. Ford.
A new image of the suspected 004 aircraft carrier. pic.twitter.com/2xHTwCrdwA
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 14, 2025
