China's Sharp Sword Combat Drones Cutting Into US Airpower

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He says satellite images and mockups suggest the drone is intended for carrier aviation, potentially operating from the new Type 076 amphibious warfare ship. Satam notes that the GJ-11's stealth and reconnaissance capabilities make it a significant asset for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), particularly in the Western Pacific, where it could conduct surveillance and strike missions.

In the event of a possible invasion of Taiwan, China may deploy groups of drones from both land and sea to overpower the self-governing island's air defense systems. This could be followed by more extensive air and missile attacks and possibly even an amphibious assault.

In a June 2022 article for the PLA Daily, Guo Yilun and Ma Quan emphasize integrating manned and unmanned systems as a way for China the GJ-11 to undertake a more extensive set of capabilities. Guo and Ma mention that as a new era of intelligent warfare dawns, the synergy between human-operated and autonomous platforms will reshape battlefield strategies.

They say that manned-unmanned teaming, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies, enhances operational flexibility and efficiency.

In line with that thinking, Mandeep Singh mentions in a March 2022 DefStrat article that China's GJ-11 represents a significant advancement in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.

While Singh notes that the GJ-11's exact capabilities remain largely unknown due to the classified nature of China's military programs, the GJ-11 is expected to enhance China's MUM-T operations by potentially acting as a“loyal wingman” to manned aircraft like the J-20S or other carrier-based fighters.

Singh notes this integration aims to leverage the UCAV's advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities to support manned missions, thereby increasing situational awareness and reducing risks for human pilots.

As China ramps up its development of the GJ-11 stealth drone for integration with manned platforms and potential carrier operations, the US Navy is advancing its uncrewed capabilities by integrating such aboard its supercarriers, signaling a competitive shift in the race for naval and aerial warfare dominance.

In June 2024, Asia Times noted that drone carriers offer power projection benefits beyond traditional aircraft carriers. These advantages are attained by enabling unmanned aerial operations at extended distances outside national boundaries, expanding tactical, operational and strategic possibilities.

Unmanned systems are safer, more cost-efficient and well-suited for high-risk missions. Drone carriers, meanwhile, provide a practical and cost-effective way to improve aerial capabilities over extended distances for middle-income countries that lack land-based facilities.

Nevertheless, drones have limitations in areas with strong air defense systems and electronic warfare capabilities.

Asia Times reported in August 2024 that the US Navy is advancing its naval warfare capabilities by integrating a dedicated Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) on the USS George H W Bush (CVN-77), marking the first supercarrier to feature such a facility.

This development, reported by The War Zone in August 2024, is part of a broader plan to equip all Nimitz and Ford-class carriers with UAWCs. The UAWC will serve as the operational hub for advanced uncrewed aircraft, including MQ-25 Stingray tanker drones and future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

The initiative aims to extend the carrier air wing's reach and reduce reliance on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters for refueling tasks. The USS George H W Bush is set to begin at-sea testing of the UAWC's operational networks early next year.