GJ-11 Sharp Sword
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword (Lijian) is China's frontline stealth flying-wing UCAV: a functional clone of the X-47B, swept wings with shielded exhaust, two internal weapons bays. Operational since 2019, it will be the loyal wingman of J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters and the carrier-borne UCAV on the Fujian carriers.
GJ-11 Sharp Sword
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword (Lijian) is China's frontline stealth flying-wing UCAV: a functional clone of the X-47B, swept wings with shielded exhaust, two internal weapons bays. Operational since 2019, it will be the loyal wingman of J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters and the carrier-borne UCAV on the Fujian carriers.
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- GJ-11 Sharp Sword
- Alias
- Gong Ji-11 / Lijian / Hongdu/Shenyang UCAV
- Manufacturer
- Hongdu Aviation Industry Group / Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
- Country
- China
- Year
- 2019
- Category
- UCAV (Combat UAV)
- Class
- Strategic
- Status
- In service
Performance
- Range
- 4000 km
- Endurance
- Classificata (>10 h stimato)
- Top speed
- Mach 0,8 (~1000 km/h)
- Service ceiling
- 12,000 m
- Propulsion
- Turbofan WS-13 senza postbruciatore (~50 kN)
Physical characteristics
- MTOW
- 15000 kg
- Payload
- 2000 kg
- Hardpoints
- 0
- Weapons
- Due stive interne — bombe LS-6, missili PL-10/PL-15, anti-radar
Onboard systems
- Sensors
- AESA fronte/retro, EO/IR retraibile, SIGINT, EW suite
- Datalink / control
- SATCOM Ka-band stealth, manned-unmanned teaming con J-20/J-35
- Launch
- Decollo da pista (versione imbarcata in test su catapulta EMALS)
- Recovery
- Atterraggio su pista (gancio per portaerei testato)
Tags
Main operators
History
First flight in November 2013 at Chengdu as the Lijian demonstrator. The production GJ-11 version redesigned with a shielded low-observable exhaust paraded at the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic in October 2019.
In 2021 a mock-up of the carrier-borne variant with folding wings and arresting hook was shown; in 2024 trials on the Fujian carrier (Type 003) with EMALS electromagnetic catapult were confirmed. Deployed at PLAAF bases since 2023.