bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        name
        published
      }
      ... on VideoSection {
        name
        published
      }
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        name
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        relatedNewsletters {
          ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
          id
        }
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...hooksInlinePlusWidgetContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
  ... on Video {
    youtubeId
  }
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on SectionUnion {
  __isSectionUnion: __typename
  ... on Section {
    name
  }
  ... on VideoSection {
    name
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        entityId
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        entityId
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        entityId
      }
      ... on VideoSection {
        entityId
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        name
      }
      ... on VideoSection {
        name
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksInlinePlusWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        name
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


types

sectionsV2

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

Liu Zhen

As China’s Victory Day parade got under way in Beijing on September 3, some of the world’s most advanced military hardware began to file through Tiananmen Square with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – the GJ-11 “Sharp Sword” – leading the way.
The drone, with the number 21 displayed on its fuselage, represented one of the most advanced uncrewed systems in service in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
A closer look at the aircraft’s wings showed visible folding hinges, a change from the debut of the UAV in 2019. It indicated that this latest variant – possibly a naval GJ-21 – was being adapted for potential deployment on aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships.


Earlier this year, images resembling the drone’s unique wing profile were featured on the emblem of the Sichuan, the Chinese navy’s first Type 076 amphibious landing ship, informally known as a “drone carrier”, with an electromagnetic catapult.
Taken together, the clues suggest that the GJ-11 could be the world’s first and only operational ship-based stealth combat drone.
GJ-11 specs
The GJ-11 evolved from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s “Sharp Sword” stealth drone project in 2009 and is produced by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group. Both companies are subsidiaries of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
The Sharp Sword prototype made its maiden flight at the end of 2013 and was officially revealed at the 70th National Day military parade on October 1, 2019, as the GJ-11, or Attack-11. The “GJ” designation suggested it had entered service with the PLA Air Force by then.
With its flying wing design and a fully blended body that allows for low radar cross-section visibility, the stealth aircraft is 10 metres (213 feet) in length with a 14-metre wingspan and has an estimated take-off weight of 10 tonnes. Segmented control surfaces are built into the trailing edge of the main wing to serve as the flight control of the tailless aircraft.

To maximise its stealth function, the GJ-11 features a top-mounted S-shaped air intake to block radar waves from reaching the blades of its internal turbofan engine. Its shielded, flattened jet nozzle reduces both infrared and radar signatures, while a light grey paint coating similar to that used on China’s crewed stealth fighters further reduces the likelihood of detection.
During its demonstration at the Zhuhai air show in 2021, the drone featured two internal weapon bays, adding extra stealth and aerodynamic efficiency. With four hardpoints inside each bay, the drone could carry a variety of ammunition – from cruise missiles and anti-radiation missiles to precision-guided bombs.
At subsonic speed, it is estimated that the UAV could fly for about six hours. With a combat range of more than 1,500km (930 miles), the drone can cover most key regions within the “first island chain”, including the East China Sea and the South China Sea when based on the Chinese coast. Its operational reach extends far beyond the island chain when launched from carriers.
The GJ-11 is designed for “missions such as air control, assault and air defence suppression”, according to an introduction broadcast during the 2019 parade.




Drone autonomy
Intelligence has been a key focus of China’s next-generation weapons development. The GJ-11, for instance, boasts a high degree of autonomy.
Algorithms can control independent take-off, mission execution and landings. More complex missions, such as route planning, target recognition and tracking, and munitions launches, can also be carried out by advanced AI, which greatly reduces reliance on remote operators.
“Artificial intelligence is contesting for air and space dominance,” said an official commentary scripted for the UAVs shown in the 2025 parade.

“They can conduct stealth strikes, achieve wide-area coverage and operate in coordination autonomously, innovating new forms of future air combat,” the commentary said.
Autonomous coordination refers to the interactive information network on future battlefields. The GJ-11 and other next-generation Chinese uncrewed systems could each serve as a node in a larger combat network via digital datalink, which enables real-time information sharing, better situational awareness, collaborative decision-making and task allocation.




‘Loyal wingman’
Although the parade showed some newer and more specialised collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), it is commonly believed the GJ-11 is capable of filling the role of “loyal wingman” for the PLA’s advanced fighters.
In this manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) combat mode, one or multiple drones are connected to the crewed aircraft and operate autonomously or are even controlled by the second officer on board the two-seater J-16, J-20S or future sixth-generation fighters like the J-36.
With its strong situational awareness, the GJ-11 could serve as the fighter’s extended “eye” for high-risk reconnaissance such as penetrating enemy radar networks and acting as a “spearhead” to launch the initial strikes, such as suppressing enemy air defences to clear the way for its crewed partner.
The drone could also act as an additional airborne weapon inventory to provide extra firepower under the fighter’s command and as a dispensable decoy to cover and protect the crewed aircraft from enemy fire.
When deployed in groups, the drones could also automatically coordinate in a team assault, or serve as aerial data relay stations, consolidating information from various platforms and sharing it across the entire MUM-T formation as well as with other units.
Shipborne GJ-11?
Since development began on the GJ-11, naval operations have been a key consideration. An AVIC demonstration video at the 2021 Zhuhai air show showed a foldable GJ-11 taking off from an amphibious landing ship. Satellite images had captured GJ-11 models presented at the land-based carrier simulation facility in Wuhan in 2023, and next to the shipyard building the first Type 076 in Shanghai in 2024.
Following the September parade, it is believed the GJ-11’s naval variant has been completed and is ready to be deployed to the Sichuan as well as the aircraft carrier Fujian, once they are commissioned, or to any future carriers equipped with an electromagnetic catapult.

As the signature aircraft on the Sichuan’s crest, the GJ-11 will act as the core strength of the drone carrier. Compared with shipborne helicopters on conventional amphibious assault ships, the GJ-11’s long range and stealth will significantly extend the Type 076’s operational reach, situational awareness and strike ability, bringing it closer to the combat effectiveness of a traditional aircraft carrier.
The GJ-11 also has an important role on future aircraft carriers. Whether it conducts stealth reconnaissance or strikes on its own, or carries out MUM-T strikes with ship-based fighters like the J-15 or J-35, the drone could help transform the carrier-based air wing into a more efficient and versatile combat system. It would also be a much cheaper complement to crewed stealth fighters.
To date, there is no other shipborne stealth combat drone in operation anywhere in the world.
The US Navy did work on a carrier-based flying wing combat UAV – the Northrop Grumman X-47B – resulting in two demonstrators that conducted successful tests on land and a carrier, but the programme was ended in 2015.
The US Navy’s Boeing-designed stealth drone MQ-25 “Stingray” is close to entering service, but it is an autonomous tanker, not a combat drone.
The US Air Force has two CCAs under development – the General Atomics YFQ-42A conducted its first flight in August, while the Anduril YFQ-44A has had ground tests. The US Navy, meanwhile, is seeking “conceptual” CCA designs from contractors.
Russia’s Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B combat drone with a flying wing design is in service, but it is not intended to be deployed on ships. France’s Dassault nEUROn and Britain’s BAE Taranis combat drones – both demonstrators – have ended development.


How China’s GJ-11 ‘Sharp Sword’ UAV is poised for crucial roles in intelligent warfare

A GJ-11 stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle appears at China’s Victory Day parade in Beijing on September 3. The aircraft could be the world’s first and only operational ship-based stealth combat drone. Photo: AP

The GJ-11 is 10 metres (213 feet) long and has a 14-metre wingspan. Photo: Xinhua

The airborne unmanned combat formation led by the GJ-11 passes through Tiananmen Square on September 3. Photo: Xinhua

China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, is seen in Shanghai last December. Photo: Xinhua

News

China

Military

After leading Beijing’s Victory Day military parade, world’s first ship-based stealth combat drone hints at new era for carrier operations


After leading Beijing’s Victory Day military parade, world’s first ship-based stealth combat drone hints at new era for carrier operations.


How China’s GJ-11 ‘Sharp Sword’ UAV is poised for crucial roles in intelligent warfare

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}After leading Beijing’s Victory Day military parade, world’s first ship-based stealth combat drone hints at new era for carrier operations

After leading Beijing’s Victory Day military parade, world’s first ship-based stealth combat drone hints at new era for carrier operations