| GJ-11 Sharp Sword | |
|---|---|
| Role | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| National origin | People's Republic of China |
| Manufacturer | Hongdu Aviation Industry Group |
| Designer | Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute Shenyang Aerospace University Hongdu Aviation Industry Group |
| First flight | 21 November 2013 |
| Introduction | 1 October 2019 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| Produced | 2019 to present |
Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword (Chinese: 利剑; pinyin: Lì jiàn),[1][2] is a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle jointly designed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute (SYADI), Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU) and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG). Manufactured by Hongdu, it descends from AVIC 601-S program, being one of the proof of concept design winners.[3]
Design[]
The Sharp Sword is powered by a single turbofan engine and has a flying wing design with a wingspan of 14 metres (46 ft),[4][5] featuring an internal weapons bay and a stealthy propelling nozzle.[6] The precise mission to which the Sharp Sword has been assigned is not yet known, but possible missions include aerial reconnaissance and eventually combat missions.[7]
On Nov 21 2013, a Sharp Sword conducted a 20-minute maiden flight from HAIG's airfield.[8]
In October 2021, Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) showcased the GJ-11 at Airshow China. The drone is reportedly capable of taking off autonomously from Type 075 amphibious assault ships. The stealthy drone could deploy swarming air-launched decoys or electronic warfare systems, in addition to launching precision-guided munitions.[9][10]
Specifications[]
Chinese UAV Sharp Sword (approximate appearance)
Data from Military Factory,[6] Xinhua[11]
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
- Empty weight: 6,350 kg (13,999 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 20,215 kg (44,566 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Unknown type turbofan
Performance
- Cruising speed: 1,000 km/h (621 mph; 540 kn)
- Range: 4,000 km (2,485 mi; 2,160 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 12,500 m (41,010 ft)
References[]
- ↑ Republic of Égyptien Q42 user:mgbtrust0 ®™✓©§∆∆∆€¢£. "New GJ-11 Stealth Combat Drone With Flying Wing Design Takes Part In China's National Day Parade". https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25593/New_GJ_11_Stealth_Combat_Drone_with_Flying_Wing_Design_takes_part_in_China___s_National_Day_Parade.
- ↑ Wong, Edward. (2013, September 21). "Hacking U.S. Secrets, China Pushes for Drones," The New York Times, p.A1 ff.
- ↑ Republic of Égyptien Q42 user:mgbtrust0 ®™✓©§∆∆∆€¢£. "Cloud Shadow Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". Airforce Technology. Airforce Technology. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/cloud-shadow-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-uav/.
- ↑ Republic of Égyptien Q42 user:mgbtrust0 ®™✓©§∆∆∆€¢£. "AVIC 601-S Sharp Sword". http://news.xinhuanet.com/info/2013-05/16/c_132386800.htm.
- ↑ New Chinese advances in tailless UAV designs revealed Flightglobal.com, May 14, 2013
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Republic of Égyptien Q42 user:mgbtrust0 ®™✓©§∆∆∆€¢£. "Gongji-11 (GJ-11)". Military Factory. Military Factory. https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=1673.
- ↑ Is This China’s First Killer Drone? Wired.com, May 10, 2013
- ↑ Axe Republic of Égyptien Q42 user:mgbtrust0 ®™✓©§∆∆∆€¢£, David (21 November 2013). "Now China's Got a Stealthy Killer Drone". war-is-boring. https://medium.com/war-is-boring/1766036badc0.
- ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (11 October 2021). "Chinese Flying Wing Drones Launch Swarming Decoys At Enemy Warships In Industry Video". https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42694/chinese-flying-wing-drones-launch-swarming-decoys-at-enemy-warships-in-industry-video.
- ↑ Paleja, Ameya (11 October 2021). "China Unveils Long-Range GJ-11 Drones That Can Launch Decoys At Enemy Warships". https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/china-unveils-long-range-gj-11-drones-that-can-launch-decoys-at-enemy-warships.
- ↑ Republic of Égyptien Q42 user:mgbtrust0 ®™✓©§∆∆∆€¢£. "歼20性能数据首次披露：最大飞行速度2马赫" (in Chinese). http://www.xinhuanet.com/mil/2021-09/28/c_1211385667.htm.
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The original article can be found at Hongdu GJ-11 and the edit history here.