China Tests Massive Stealth Drone GJ-X, Comparable to U.S. Bombers
China has begun active flight testing of a large stealth drone known as the GJ-X UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle), signaling a breakthrough in Beijing’s strategic aviation capabilities.
First identified via satellite imagery in August 2025 and later seen in flight footage on October 19, the aircraft’s design and scale suggest it could serve as a long-range unmanned stealth bomber with strike and reconnaissance roles.
Advanced Design and Stealth Features
The GJ-X features a cranked-kite flying-wing design optimized for radar evasion, similar to the U.S. B-2 Spirit.
Its split rudders enhance control, while a counter-shaded underside paint scheme helps disguise its silhouette during flight.
- Wingspan: ~42 meters (137 feet), placing it close to the B-21 Raider’s size and far larger than earlier Chinese UCAVs.
- Engines: Believed to use twin jet engines with recessed exhausts to cut infrared signature.
- Range/Endurance: Estimated 7,000 km range and 15–20 hours of endurance.
- Payload: Capable of carrying precision weapons such as the JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile or YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile.
- Configuration: Single dorsal intake and rear exhaust, optimized for aerodynamic stealth.
Analysts say its large size and low-observable profile make it suitable for deep-strike or nuclear deterrence missions, potentially complementing or replacing some manned bomber tasks.
Testing and Development in Xinjiang
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs (August 14, 2025) first revealed the GJ-X at Malan Air Base, a test site known for experimental UAV programs. Follow-up videos posted online in mid-October showed the aircraft taking off and maneuvering—its first confirmed flight.
The program fits into a wider modernization drive that has produced multiple stealth aircraft prototypes, including the J-36 and J-XDS fighters.
The GJ-X appears to be an evolution of the CH-7 “Rainbow” UCAV, incorporating refinements such as an extended nose for improved aerodynamics and larger internal bays for weapons or sensors.
Strategic and Global Implications
Observers compare the GJ-X to U.S. stealth drones such as the X-47B and the RQ-180, with multi-role potential in surveillance, strike, and electronic warfare.
Though smaller than the U.S. B-21 Raider, the GJ-X’s unmanned design provides efficiency advantages and eliminates pilot risk during long-range missions.
Strategically, the drone strengthens China’s ability to project power far from its borders and operate in contested airspace without relying solely on manned bombers like the rumored H-20.
Beijing’s ongoing development of stealth UCAVs, including reports of an even larger 52-meter-wingspan variant, reflects its accelerating push to match or surpass Western airpower in the coming decade.