China’s stunning ‘GJ-X’ Stealth Drone appears to have been spotted in the air for the first time
We get what could be our first look at Steath’s China’s largest ‘cranked kite’ flying wing drone, loosely called the GJ-X, aircraft. A rival They broke the news in front of the plane in September after it appeared on satellite images in China at the Sprawling Airbase Airbase near Malan in Xinjiang province. We estimated that the Wingspan of the plane was 42 meters (137 feet), which puts it in a very rare class for a mature unmanned aircraft. Since our report, there have been persistent claims that the wing’s Wings are larger than those of the B-21, but that is unlikely to be the case. It’s still an impressive giant of a flying drone, but it’s not China’s biggest, by a significant margin.
The short clip above shows what appears to be the same plane, or one with a very similar design, the plane. Building on that caveat, it is possible that the plane shown is different than what is seen in the satellite image of Malan, and shares the same planet. China has at least one drone in development that shares the same Planform, although it is possible that both aircraft are related in development.
It’s worth noting that we see ‘split rudders’ in the picture as outboard control surfaces, which are often flown by wing concepts and are found on the B-2. We also see a small hump looking at the center of the jet’s empennage. This may be more of a reverse engine design pointing to a Twin-Engine design.
Satellite imagery that was the first public evidence of the existing aircraft showed it on the runway at China’s test base near Malan. (Photo 2025 Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved. Published with permission)
The most interesting detail from the short video clip is the aircraft’s under-flight assembly. There appears to be a paint job with a contrasting shade intended to make it difficult to see the aircraft’s design in places, with the black design taking over the traditional fuselage and wing. It is possible that this can also be a combination installation process, but the design is clearly the same as a standard aircraft suspension that is similar to a standard aircraft suspension in camouflage. This method has been used for many years to break the structure of the aircraft and/or to reveal its correct orientation.
Demonstrators of the X-47B were kites that were destroyed by winged kites that flourished from the north and grumman flew as a navy test program in the 2010s. There was talk of a much larger X-47C concept that would have been about the size of a tactical bomber that never went forward. Other renderings of the B-3 3/Goneration Bomber also featured cranked kite planforms. (USN)
The purpose of this aircraft is perhaps the most controversial aspect of its existence. Some Chinese military observers say it is a indeed A large unplanned anti-aircraft vehicle (Ucav) with kinetic functions as its focus. Some say it’s a straight-up anpern onentled bomber. At that time, the repeated role, taking the same job as the clandestine clandestine clandestine ‘RQ-180’ is high, long, perhaps the most overlooked drone and possible. But having a versatile multi-body aircraft that can take on a variety of tasks, from kinetic attacks to repeats is a huge advantage. We just don’t know fully at this time what China’s intention is for the structure.
The GJ-X is just one of the DIZZING ARAY of the Stealth Combat CourH that has been developing over the past year, beginning to appear to the public at the same time and signing the first flights of the J-X6. The speed at which China is now moving when it comes to advanced aircraft development is truly amazing, and this is just what we are allowed to see, and maybe some leaks. A lot goes on in the shadows.
Contact the author: tyler@twz.com
