Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword
The Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword is a Chinese flying-wing unmanned combat aircraft, publicly revealed during a 2019 military parade. Its tailless shape is intended to reduce radar signature, while an internal weapons bay avoids external stores that would increase detectability. Public information remains limited, but the design signals China’s interest in long-range stealth drones for reconnaissance and strike roles. Its few known appearances and classified operational status make it exceptionally rare.
Did you know?
A tailless flying-wing shape and internal weapons bay mark the Sharp Sword as a stealth combat drone, rarely seen outside Chinese parades.
Specifications
| Length | 12.2 m (40 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 14.4 m (47 ft) |
| Height | 2.7 m (9 ft) |
| Range | 1,500 NM (2,778 km) |
| Maximum speed | 600 kt (1,111 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 50,000 ft (15,240 m) |
| Engines | 1x turbofan engine |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Hongdu, the GJ-11 Sharp Sword family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
Catch it yourself.CatchFlights shows the aircraft flying near you on a radar, so a type like this one is only a catch away when it passes overhead. Explore CatchFlights.
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