China claims maiden UCAV operations from Type 076 ship

This infographic shows a rendering of the PLA Navy's Hongdu GJ-21 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). (Janes)

A Hongdu GJ-21 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has conducted its first take-off and recovery operations from Sichuan, a Type 076 (Yulan)-class amphibious assault ship, Chinese state-owned media has reported.

Chinese media announced the operations on 30 October 2026. According to the state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), Sichuan conducted a series of sea trials in late October during which the GJ-21 took off from and landed on the vessel for the first time.

The flight activity marks a “breakthrough in the Chinese Navy's ability to operate fixed-wing stealth drones from large maritime combat platforms”, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing sources from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

However, Chinese state-owned media has not released footage of the flight. CCTV broadcast what appeared to be computer-generated imagery of the UCAV taking off from and landing on the vessel. Janes cannot independently verify the flight based on publicly available information.

Sichuan (hull number 51) was launched on 27 December 2024. The vessel has a full-load displacement of more than 40,000 t and features a dual-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck, according to Xinhua.

Janes has previously reported that the vessel is equipped with a single electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and two elevators.

“The vessel features the innovative application of automated landing guidance system, integrated electric power system, and electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technologies. It is designed to carry fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and amphibious equipment,” Xinhua reported.

The reported GJ-21 operations from Sichuan