Is this new tailless UAV China's answer to next-generation drone warfare?
The footage, first circulated at the weekend on China's social media platform Weibo, reveals the tailless aircraft with a distinctive diamond-shaped delta wing configuration. Accompanying the drone is a Y-8 or Y-9 turboprop-powered transport aircraft, with another similar aircraft trailing separately.
An additional still image, apparently a frame from a separate video featuring the same drone, emerged simultaneously on the social media platform X.
While bearing a similar tailless shape to China's next-generation fighter prototypes – namely the Chengdu J-36 or Shenyang J-50 – the drone's design differs from and appears smaller than those aircraft.
Based on its size relative to the turboprop, the drone appears longer – at about 15 metres (50 feet) – than known 'loyal wingman' drones, which typically measure between 9 and 12 metres.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been actively developing multiple loyal wingman drones and teaming crewed-uncrewed abilities.
While the stealthy GJ-11 combat drone remains central to these efforts, China has unveiled other lower-tier uncrewed designs intended to closely coordinate with crewed aircraft.
Notably, the FH-97A by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was showcased at the Zhuhai air show last year and promoted as a loyal wingman capable of 'leading swarms of smaller drones'.
The drone was described at the time as having a more autonomous, networked strike role beyond simply supporting platforms such as the J-20.
A commenter on X suggested the Y-8/9 aircraft was likely chosen to accompany the tailless drone because it could fly at slower speeds that were suited to observation and because its spacious cabin could accommodate engineers, monitoring equipment and potential radio systems for remotely controlling prototype drones. Certain variants of this aircraft could also deploy target drones for testing purposes.
In 2022, China's state broadcaster CCTV showed a related concept, highlighting the use of H-6 missile carriers as airborne launch platforms for tactical drones.
China's drive towards advanced autonomous aviation has accelerated with big leaps in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In early June, a PLA Daily article emphasised the importance of 'massed drone deployments' within China's military modernisation. It called for 'innovative approaches' to unmanned systems, describing them as potentially 'decisive and dominant' in future conflicts.
The same report urged military planners to move beyond viewing drones as auxiliary forces, advocating for new operational doctrines centred on the mass and coordinated deployment of unmanned systems. It argued 'the next phase of global military competition will hinge on rapidly concentrating essential systems and personnel'.
While the exact date and location of the newly emerged drone video remain unclear, its design closely aligns with images from a June 11 satellite photo, showing around 500 military vehicles – including self-propelled artillery and ballistic missile launchers – lined up at a PLA facility on the outskirts of the capital.
Of special interest in that satellite image are drones and unmanned surface vessels concealed under cover on trailers. Similar displays have previously unveiled new drone designs during military parades.
The facility features a mock avenue layout, closely resembling Beijing's Changan Avenue, indicating large-scale military rehearsals ahead of a planned parade to commemorate the end of World War II in September. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
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