China claims maiden UCAV operations from Type 076 ship

Chinese state media reported on October 30 that a Hongdu GJ-21 uncrewed combat aircraft had completed its first takeoff and landing aboard Sichuan, the lead Type 076 amphibious assault ship. The vessel combines an electromagnetic catapult, arresting equipment and automated landing guidance to operate fixed-wing drones alongside helicopters and amphibious equipment. Displacing more than 40,000 tonnes, Sichuan was launched in December 2024 and began sea trials in November 2025. The reported flight remains unconfirmed independently, as the television coverage showed computer-generated sequences rather than footage documenting the launch and recovery.