Chinese stealth drone operates from Type 076 ship for the first time

China’s GJ-21 reconnaissance and strike drone completed its first reported takeoff and landing aboard Sichuan, the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship. The GJ-21 is a naval derivative of Hongdu’s GJ-11 Sharp Sword flying wing and incorporates folding wings, an arresting hook and a launch bar on its twin-wheel nose gear. Sichuan, hull 51, has an electromagnetic catapult and two side-mounted aircraft elevators, as well as a stern well deck for amphibious operations. The trial demonstrated shipboard launch and recovery of the aircraft on the new platform.