Hongdu GJ-11

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
GJ-11 Sharp Sword
Mock-up of GJ-11 displayed at Airshow China in 2021
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin
People's Republic of China
Manufacturer
Hongdu Aviation Industry Group
Designer
Hongdu Aviation Industry Group
First flight 2013
Status In testing and evaluation[1]

Serial production planned for 2022[2]

Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force

The Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword (

Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG),[3] with the latter being the manufacturer.[4] The GJ-11 can perform precision strike and aerial reconnaissance missions.[3][5]

GJ-11 at Airshow China Zhuhai 2021

Design

The GJ-11 is a tailless flying wing[3] with two internal weapons bays.[6][3] Stealth features include the shaping of the rear airframe around the engine exhaust[5] and serrated weapon bay doors.[6] The aircraft is powered by a single turbofan engine of an unknown type, and the overall wingspan is 14 meters.[7]

Development

Early versions were less stealthy with an exposed engine nozzle.[8]

Images of the aircraft's first flight appeared on the internet in November 2013.[4]

In October 2021, Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) showcased the GJ-11 at

Type 075 amphibious assault ships. The stealthy drone could deploy swarming air-launched decoys or electronic warfare systems, in addition to launching precision-guided munitions.[9][10]

In October 2022, Chinese media showcased the computer-generated concepts of three GJ-11 being controlled by a two-seat variant of the Chengdu J-20 fighter jet, akin to the Loyal Wingman program of the United States.[11]

Specifications

Chinese UCAV Sharp Sword (approximate appearance)

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 12.2[6] m (40 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.4[6] m (47 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 2.7[6] m (8 ft 10 in)
  • Powerplant: 1 × unnamed Guizhou-built[12] turbofan

Performance Armament

  • Internal weapons bays:
    • Up to 2,000 kilograms (4,400 lb) payload[3]
    • Bombs[6]

References

  1. ISBN 978-1-000-47449-7
    .
  2. ^ Thompson 2021, p. 244.
  3. ^
    ISBN 9798583085569
    .
  4. ^ a b Axe, David (21 November 2013). "Now China's Got a Stealthy Killer Drone". medium.com. war-is-boring. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  5. ^ a b Williams, Ian; Dahlgren, Masao (16 October 2019). "More Than Missiles: China Previews its New Way of War". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "歼20性能数据首次披露：最大飞行速度2马赫". Xinhua (in Chinese). 2021-09-28. Archived from the original on 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  7. ^ "GJ-11 UAV displayed on Chinese National Day". air recognition. 3 October 2022.
  8. ^ Trimble, Stephen (21 May 2013). "New tailless UAV design proclaims Chinese ambition". Flight International. Gale General OneFile. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  9. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (11 October 2021). "Chinese Flying Wing Drones Launch Swarming Decoys At Enemy Warships In Industry Video". The Drive.
  10. ^ Paleja, Ameya (11 October 2021). "China Unveils Long-Range GJ-11 Drones That Can Launch Decoys At Enemy Warships". Interesting Engineering.
  11. ^ Meier, Ricardo (12 October 2022). "Chinese two-seat J-20 fighter jet controlling three GJ-11 stealth drones". Air Data News.
  12. ^ "航空报国酬壮志 长天映照赤子心——记贵州航空发动机研究所副总设计师韩冬". 中工网. 2015-04-27. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23.
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