China’s Sharp Sword combat drones cutting into US airpower

China is ramping up development of its GJ-11 Sharp Sword, a stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) with the potential to reshape the future of drone warfare, The Warzone reported.

Planet Labs satellite imagery reviewed by The Warzone shows two GJ-11s active at Malan Air Base in western Xinjiang province, a known Chinese hub for uncrewed platform testing.

The GJ-11, designed for strike missions and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks, has been increasingly linked to future operations with crewed J-20 stealth fighters and potential deployment from People’s Liberation Army–Navy (PLA-N) aircraft carriers.

The Warzone notes that China’s surge in UCAV testing activity contrasts starkly with the US military’s lack of similar publicly acknowledged projects.

The War Zone mentions that the GJ-11’s development includes testing for cooperative operations and high autonomy. It notes that the GJ-11’s evolution, from its less stealthy prototype first seen in 2013 to its more advanced iterations, underscores China’s broad ambitions in uncrewed aerial technology and commitment to advancing its UCAV capabilities.

In contrast to China, the report says that the US has shifted focus to lower-cost drones intended to work closely with crewed jets, leaving a noticeable gap in the development of stealthy flying-wing UCAVs.

This strategic divergence points to a significant shift in aerial combat technology, with China potentially gaining an edge in uncrewed stealth capabilities, The Warzone report says.

In terms of the GJ-11’s capability, Parth Satam mentions in an August 2024 article for The Aviationist that the UCAV is notable for its stealth capabilities and advanced design, featuring a tailless flying wing structure and top-mounted air intake. Satam says that the GJ-11 can operate from China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ships, enhancing its versatility.

He says satellite images and mockups suggest the drone is intended for carrier aviation, potentially operating from the new Type 076 amphibious warfare ship. Satam notes that the GJ-11’s stealth and reconnaissance capabilities make it a significant asset for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), particularly in the Western Pacific, where it could conduct surveillance and strike missions.

In the event of a possible invasion of Taiwan, China may deploy groups of drones from both land and sea to overpower the self-governing island’s air defense systems. This could be followed by more extensive air and missile attacks and possibly even an amphibious assault.

In a June 2022 article for the PLA Daily, Guo Yilun and Ma Quan emphasize integrating manned and unmanned systems as a way for China the GJ-11 to undertake a more extensive set of capabilities. Guo and Ma mention that as a new era of intelligent warfare dawns, the synergy between human-operated and autonomous platforms will reshape battlefield strategies.

They say that manned-unmanned teaming, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies, enhances operational flexibility and efficiency.

In line with that thinking, Mandeep Singh mentions in a March 2022 DefStrat article that China’s GJ-11 represents a significant advancement in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.

While Singh notes that the GJ-11’s exact capabilities remain largely unknown due to the classified nature of China’s military programs, the GJ-11 is expected to enhance China’s MUM-T operations by potentially acting as a “loyal wingman” to manned aircraft like the J-20S or other carrier-based fighters.

Singh notes this integration aims to leverage the UCAV’s advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities to support manned missions, thereby increasing situational awareness and reducing risks for human pilots.

As China ramps up its development of the GJ-11 stealth drone for integration with manned platforms and potential carrier operations, the US Navy is advancing its uncrewed capabilities by integrating such aboard its supercarriers, signaling a competitive shift in the race for naval and aerial warfare dominance.

In June 2024, Asia Times noted that drone carriers offer power projection benefits beyond traditional aircraft carriers. These advantages are attained by enabling unmanned aerial operations at extended distances outside national boundaries, expanding tactical, operational and strategic possibilities.

Unmanned systems are safer, more cost-efficient and well-suited for high-risk missions. Drone carriers, meanwhile, provide a practical and cost-effective way to improve aerial capabilities over extended distances for middle-income countries that lack land-based facilities.

Nevertheless, drones have limitations in areas with strong air defense systems and electronic warfare capabilities.

Asia Times reported in August 2024 that the US Navy is advancing its naval warfare capabilities by integrating a dedicated Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) on the USS George H W Bush (CVN-77), marking the first supercarrier to feature such a facility.

This development, reported by The War Zone in August 2024, is part of a broader plan to equip all Nimitz and Ford-class carriers with UAWCs. The UAWC will serve as the operational hub for advanced uncrewed aircraft, including MQ-25 Stingray tanker drones and future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

The initiative aims to extend the carrier air wing’s reach and reduce reliance on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters for refueling tasks. The USS George H W Bush is set to begin at-sea testing of the UAWC’s operational networks early next year.

This move underscores the increasing importance of aerial refueling capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, where vast distances and evolving threats necessitate enhanced force projection.

The US Navy’s strategy also includes a significant shift towards uncrewed aircraft, with plans for carrier air wings to comprise 60% uncrewed aircraft, aligning with the broader Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

China’s GJ-11 stealth drones are a significant step toward future warfare dominance, while the US is responding by reimagining its carrier fleet with autonomous systems. This tit-for-tat has set the stage for a high-tech aerial and naval power projection competition.

In a June 2024 CIMSEC article, Brent Sadler mentions that aircraft carrier design has changed throughout history due to evolving threats, emphasizing the crucial role of integrating unmanned platforms, long-range weapons and advanced data processing.

Sadler says drones, such as the MQ-25, are repurposed for tanking roles, extending the operational range of manned aircraft like the F/A-18 and F-35. This shift, he says, necessitates design changes, including larger ammo elevators and advanced launch systems like EMALS.

He emphasizes flexibility and adaptability in carrier design to meet modern challenges, such as anti-ship ballistic missiles and drone swarms.

Sadler notes that the future of carrier warfare will rely on a networked approach, integrating sensors and weapons across various platforms to maintain operational superiority.