The People’s Liberation Army Air Force has unveiled the first public footage of China’s GJ-11 stealth attack drone flying in formation and collaborating with the crewed J-20 fighter jet. The promotional video, released to mark the PLA Air Force’s 76th anniversary, demonstrates China’s advancing manned-unmanned teaming technology, showing the drone operating alongside both the J-20 and the J-16D electronic warfare aircraft.
In a significant display of advancing military technology, China has publicly revealed its capability to coordinate stealth drones with advanced fighter jets—a capability that could redefine modern air combat.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force released groundbreaking footage showing the sleek, bat-winged GJ-11 stealth drone flying in formation with China’s most advanced fighter aircraft, marking the country’s first public demonstration of this cutting-edge technology.
The video, part of a promotional release celebrating the PLA Air Force’s 76th anniversary, shows the unmanned GJ-11 flying ahead of both the J-20 fighter jet and the J-16D electronic warfare variant. This formation visually emphasizes the drone’s intended role as a vanguard that can penetrate deeper into contested airspace than manned aircraft.
The coordinated flight represents China’s entry into the elite club of nations developing manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) technology, a capability that only a handful of military powers are actively pursuing.
READ ALSO: https://www.modernmechanics24.com/post/sap-expands-physical-ai-robotics-push
The footage included telling radio communication that highlights the level of integration between systems. A fighter pilot using the call sign “Weilong”—which is a known nickname for the J-20—states, “Weilong 01 received, already collaborating with Xuanlong.”
This exchange, though brief, confirms an active data link and collaborative relationship between the manned fighter and the unmanned GJ-11 drone, referred to by its code name Xuanlong 08 in the video.
According to Song Zhongping, a Chinese military commentator and former PLA instructor, this collaboration represents a significant advancement in China’s air combat capabilities. “The J-20 and GJ-11 are believed to share a datalink and both are stealth fighters,” Song explained.
“The GJ-11 can be controlled from the ground and can also be linked with the J-20 to extend its firepower.” This extension of capability is crucial in modern warfare, where penetrating sophisticated air defense systems requires both stealth and standoff capabilities.
WATCH ALSO: https://www.modernmechanics24.com/post/us-air-force-s-sentinel-weapon-improved-range
The tactical implications are substantial. As Song Zhongping elaborated, the combination of these aircraft creates a coordinated combat effect that leverages their respective strengths. “The J-20 and GJ-11 are both stealth fighters with extremely strong penetration capabilities.
The GJ-11 further extends the J-20’s penetration capability, achieving stealth penetration,” he stated. “The J-16D could use electromagnetic interference for supportive suppression. A formation of three aircraft can coordinate with each other, utilizing stealth and electromagnetic suppression to suppress air defences and radar.”
This public revelation builds on previous hints about China’s MUM-T ambitions. Back in 2022, state broadcaster CCTV showed animation depicting a J-20 controlling a formation of stealth drones to execute strikes.
That animation featured a twin-seat variant of the J-20, suggesting one pilot would fly the aircraft while another controlled the drone swarm. Interestingly, Tuesday’s video showed a single-seat J-20 but a two-seat J-16D, leaving open questions about which aircraft primarily controls the drone.
READ ALSO: https://www.modernmechanics24.com/post/vauxhall-corsa-gse-concept-car
While the demonstration is impressive, Song Zhongping cautioned that the technology might still be in development. “The GJ-11’s collaboration with fighter jets could still be in the training phase, and it was premature to conclude that its coordinated combat capabilities were fully formed,” he noted.
This training phase aligns with similar programs elsewhere, particularly the United States Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which completed its first live-fire test flight of a prototype in August.
The GJ-11, which first appeared in a 2019 military parade, represents China’s commitment to next-generation air combat. The drone’s design has apparently evolved, with observers noting changes to its tail fins compared to earlier models.
As global military powers race to develop loyal wingman drones that can operate alongside manned aircraft, China’s public demonstration signals its determined progress in this transformative area of aerial warfare.
WATCH ALSO: https://www.modernmechanics24.com/post/china-s-lightweight-3d-printed-jet-engine-takes-flight
