China’s First Carrier Based Drone Fighter Approaches Service Entry with New Flight Testing

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy appears to be moving closer to integrating the GJ-21 unmanned stealth fighter with its new Type 076 class aircraft carriers, with the aircraft recently filmed flying over Huludao in Liaoning province. Some unconfirmed sources have indicated that it has already entered service in the Navy, while the first Type 076 carrier, the Sichuan, is confirmed to have entered the final phase of its sea trials. The simultaneous progress of the aircraft and ship represents an important step in China’s development of a new category of naval aviation centred on unmanned combat aircraft rather than conventional carrier-based fighters. 

The GJ-21 is a naval variant of the GJ-11 stealth attack drone, a flying-wing unmanned combat aircraft developed for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. The GJ-11 itself was first publicly revealed in 2019, and has since entered service across multiple locations. It is expected to operate in both independent units and as part of joint units with both upcoming sixth generation fighters, and with J-20S fifth generation fighters optimised for drone control operations. The GJ-21 is expected to operate both from Type 076 class aircraft carriers, and from the Navy’s current and future supercarriers. 

The Type 076 is an enlarged and heavily modified derivative of the Type 075 amphibious assault ships. Rather than functioning primarily as helicopter carriers, the new vessel incorporates an electromagnetic catapult and arresting equipment, allowing it to operate aircraft that require assisted take-off and arrested recovery. It nevertheless retains the large internal volume and amphibious functions of an assault ship, making it an entirely unique design with no counterparts elsewhere in the world. 

The integration of the GJ-21 is expected to transform how Type 076 class ships are employed, with the aircraft capable of conducting reconnaissance, electronic warfare and strike missions. The GJ-21’s low-observable configuration is especially valuable in this role. A stealth aircraft can potentially penetrate defended airspace more effectively than conventional drones, allowing the Type 076 to conduct operations without exposing the ship itself to the same degree of risk. This could be particularly useful in heavily contested maritime environments where hostile aircraft, missiles and long-range sensors make traditional carrier operations increasingly dangerous.