China's GJ-X Stealth Drone Raises Stakes For US In Pacific

2025-10-22 08:09:03

(MENAFN- Asia Times) China's GJ-X stealth drone has just taken flight-and with it, its unmanned ambitions are soaring into the Pacific power game.

This month, The War Zone (TWZ) reported that China's latest stealth drone, unofficially dubbed the GJ-X, appears to have been spotted in flight for the first time. The aircraft, characterized by its massive“cranked kite” flying-wing design, was initially revealed in satellite imagery from China's test base near Malan in Xinjiang province in September.

Estimated to span approximately 42 meters, the GJ-X belongs to a rare class of large uncrewed stealth platforms. The newly surfaced footage shows a similarly configured drone airborne, featuring split rudders and a likely twin-engine setup, with a counter-shaded underside paint scheme designed to obscure its shape at altitude.

Analysts remain divided on its intended role, debating whether it serves as a long-range reconnaissance platform akin to the US RQ-180, an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) or a stealth bomber. The drone's emergence follows a surge in Chinese stealth aircraft development, including the J-36 and J-XDS tailless fighters, underscoring China's rapid progress in advanced aerial capabilities.

While the GJ-X's operational purpose remains unconfirmed, its scale and design suggest multi-role potential, reflecting China's strategic ambition to expand its high-end unmanned arsenal amid growing regional and global defense competition.

If China had taken cues from the US RQ-180 drone, its mission and capabilities might indicate how China intends to use its GJ-X as a long-range reconnaissance platform. According to a TWZ report from July 2024, the RQ-180 is a stealthy, high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance drone built to penetrate heavily defended airspace where the U-2 and RQ-4 cannot operate.

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