Hongdu GJ-11

Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword (Chinese: 利剑; pinyin: Lì jiàn),[1][2] is a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle jointly designed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute (SYADI), Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU) and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG). Manufactured by Hongdu, it descends from AVIC 601-S program, being one of the proof of concept design winners.[3]

GJ-11 Sharp Sword
Artist impression of GJ-11 Sharp Sword prototype
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin People's Republic of China
Manufacturer Hongdu Aviation Industry Group
Designer Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute
Shenyang Aerospace University
Hongdu Aviation Industry Group
First flight 21 November 2013
Introduction 1 October 2019
Status In service
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force
Number built 4 as of October 2019

Design

The Sharp Sword is powered by a single turbofan engine and has a flying wing design with a wingspan of 14 metres (46 ft),[4][5] featuring an internal weapons bay and a stealthy propelling nozzle.[6] The precise mission to which the Sharp Sword has been assigned is not yet known, but possible missions include aerial reconnaissance and eventually combat missions.[7]

On Nov 21 2013, a Sharp Sword conducted a 20-minute maiden flight from HAIG's airfield.[8]

Specifications
Chinese UAV Sharp Sword (approximate appearance)

Data from Military Factory[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 11.65 m (38 ft 2.6 in)
  • Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 3.1 m (10 ft 2.0 in)
  • Empty weight: 6,350 kg (13,999 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 20,215 kg (44,566 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Unknown type turbofan

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 1,000 km/h (621 mph, 540 kn)
  • Range: 4,000 km (2,485 mi, 2,160 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 12,500 m (41,010 ft)

References
  1. "New GJ-11 Stealth Combat Drone With Flying Wing Design Takes Part In China's National Day Parade". defense world.
  2. Wong, Edward. (2013, September 21). "Hacking U.S. Secrets, China Pushes for Drones," The New York Times, p.A1 ff.
  3. "Cloud Shadow Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". Airforce Technology. Airforce Technology.
  4. "AVIC 601-S Sharp Sword".
  5. New Chinese advances in tailless UAV designs revealed Flightglobal.com, May 14, 2013
  6. "Gongji-11 (GJ-11)". Military Factory. Military Factory.
  7. Is This China’s First Killer Drone? Wired.com, May 10, 2013
  8. Axe, David (21 November 2013). "Now China's Got a Stealthy Killer Drone". medium.com. war-is-boring. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
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