The Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword (Chinese: 攻击-11 利剑; pinyin: gongji-11 lì jiàn) is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed in the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army. It was designed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute (SYADI) and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG) and is part of seven proposed models by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) program called "AVIC 601-S".[3][4][5] The GJ-11 can perform precision strike and aerial reconnaissance missions.[4][6]
| 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 | Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute Hongdu Aviation Industry Group Aviation Industry Corporation of China |
| First flight | November 2013 |
| Status | In testing and evaluation[1]
Serial production planned for 2022[2] |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
Design
editThe GJ-11 is a tailless flying wing[4] with two internal weapons bays.[7][4] Stealth features include the shaping of the rear airframe around the engine exhaust[6] and serrated weapon bay doors.[7] The aircraft is powered by a single turbofan engine of unknown type, and the overall wingspan is 14 meters.[8]
Development
editEarly versions were less stealthy with an exposed engine nozzle.[9]
Images of the aircraft's 20 minute long maiden flight appeared on the internet on November 21st 2013, where the "Sharp Sword" took off from HAIG airfield.[10][5]
In October 2021, AVIC showcased the GJ-11 at Airshow China. The drone is reportedly capable of taking off autonomously from Type 076 amphibious assault ships. The stealthy drone could deploy swarming air-launched decoys or electronic warfare systems, in addition to launching precision-guided munitions.[11][12]
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.[13]
Specifications
edit
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 12.2[7] m (40 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 14.4[7] m (47 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.7[7] m (8 ft 10 in)
- Powerplant: 1 × unnamed Guizhou-built[14] turbofan
Performance
Armament
References
edit- ^ Thompson, Drew (7 June 2021). Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2021. Routledge. p. 242. ISBN 978-1-000-47449-7.
- ^ Thompson 2021, p. 244.
- ^ D'Urso, Stefano (2019-10-01). "China Exhibits New Sharp Sword UCAV During Military Parade for PRC's 70th Anniversary". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b c d e Wood, Peter; Cliff, Roger (November 2020). Chinese Airborne C4ISR. United States Department of the Air Force China Aerospace Studies Institute. p. 21. ISBN 9798583085569.
- ^ a b Axe, David (21 November 2013). "Now China's Got a Stealthy Killer Drone". medium.com. war-is-boring. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "GJ-11 UAV displayed on Chinese National Day". air recognition. 3 October 2022.
- ^ Trimble, Stephen (21 May 2013). "New tailless UAV design proclaims Chinese ambition". Flight International. Gale General OneFile. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ Cenciotti, David (2013-11-22). "[Video] China's first Weaponized Stealth Drone makes maiden flight". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (11 October 2021). "Chinese Flying Wing Drones Launch Swarming Decoys At Enemy Warships In Industry Video". The Drive.
- ^ Paleja, Ameya (11 October 2021). "China Unveils Long-Range GJ-11 Drones That Can Launch Decoys At Enemy Warships". Interesting Engineering.
- ^ Meier, Ricardo (12 October 2022). "Chinese two-seat J-20 fighter jet controlling three GJ-11 stealth drones". Air Data News.
- ^ "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.