This brief but symbolic moment aired in a commemorative microfilm titled Far-Reaching Dreams, portraying the GJ-11 taking off and flying alongside two of China’s most advanced combat aircraft. The video, shared via official state outlets, served not only as a tribute to the PLAAF’s modernization, but also as a rare glimpse into the operational maturity of China’s stealth drone program.
Unveiled during the 2019 National Day parade, the GJ-11—nicknamed Xuanlong or “Mysterious Dragon”—had until now never been seen flying publicly. Known for its flying-wing configuration and low observability, the aircraft is designed to carry out strike and reconnaissance missions in contested airspace. The pairing with the J-20 Weilong and the J-16D suggests China is fine-tuning its airstrike packages by combining stealth, jamming, and unmanned technologies into a single cohesive strategy.
First Appearance of Operational Drone Formation
The microfilm begins with the GJ-11 taxiing from a hangar before forming up mid-flight with the two manned jets. In an audio sequence, a controller announces, “Weilong 01, Xuanlong 08 has arrived at position 6,” to which the J-20 pilot replies, “Weilong 01 received, cooperation with Xuanlong established.” This is the first documented instance of these aircraft flying together, confirming that coordination between crewed and uncrewed assets is underway.
According to The War Zone, satellite imagery taken months earlier had already shown three GJ-11s stationed at Shigatse Air Base, a high-altitude site near the Indian border. While it remains unclear if the drone was flying autonomously or remotely controlled during the event, the presence of actual footage marks a turning point. This isn’t a simulation or a graphic representation, but a documented deployment of China’s stealth UCAV.
The drone’s configuration, with internal weapons bays, shrouded exhaust, and serrated panels, supports both ISR and offensive roles while maintaining a minimal radar signature. Its first flight reportedly took place in 2013, but Chinese authorities have remained silent on technical specifications or operational status. Until now.
China’s Approach to Manned-Unmanned Teaming
The inclusion of the J-16D, a specialized electronic warfare variant, highlights a layered attack strategy. As reported by Global Times, military commentator Song Zhongping described the trio as a “perfect combination,” capable of paralyzing hostile radar systems before breaking through air defenses. In this structure, the J-16D disrupts enemy tracking, the J-20 exploits stealth to engage critical targets, and the GJ-11 extends reach into higher-risk zones.
Another expert, Wang Ya’nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge, suggested the GJ-11 might also take on a “wingman” role, acting ahead of the crewed aircraft for armed reconnaissance or protective screening. According to state broadcaster CCTV, this microfilm marks the first public demonstration of China’s manned-unmanned teaming capability.
The J-20, seen here in its single-seat version, had previously only appeared in animations or concepts showing it directing a swarm of drones. The new footage now suggests that even without a second pilot, the jet can cooperate with uncrewed platforms in formation, a key step toward battlefield interoperability.
Signals of Operational Progress
Footage of this nature is often both a show of force and a reflection of internal milestones. The inclusion of real aircraft rather than computer-generated imagery or mockups suggests that the GJ-11 may have reached limited operational readiness. As South China Morning Post reported earlier, the drone’s endurance exceeds 1,500 kilometers in some configurations, allowing for deep-penetration roles beyond the range of manned aircraft.
The video also includes brief scenes of a J-20 launching a PL-15 air-to-air missile and an HQ-20 surface-to-air missile being fired, suggesting that China is presenting an integrated view of its modernized air combat structure. According to a separate CCTV report, the PLAAF is also using hybrid training systems combining simulators, live aircraft, and AI-controlled digital forces for more dynamic exercises.
Although no official confirmation has been issued on whether the GJ-11 is in full operational service, its repeated appearance, both in satellite images and now in official media, indicates China is actively evaluating its performance in live scenarios. The coordinated movement with the J-20 and J-16D demonstrates an expanding focus on integrated mission sets, with drones playing a central role in shaping air dominance.
