Conflict · Naval dronesGJ-21 warship operations: China claims takeoff and landing on SichuanGeschreven 30 oktober 2026 om 09:37 UTCKijkenTranscript0:07China built Sichuan to launch fixed wing combat drones from an amphibious assault0:11ship.0:12Now China says a GJ-201 drone has successfully taken off from and landed on that0:16ship.0:17That would bring a new class of warship closer to carrying and recovering unmanned0:21combat aircraft at sea.0:22How far does that take China toward a system that can repeat those operations in0:25service?0:26Sichuan carries Hull No.501 and is the Chinese Navy's first Type706 amphibious0:31assault ship.0:32The claimed advance puts an aircraft on its departure and return cycle beyond0:36testing the ship and drone separately.0:38China announced the successful takeoff and landing on October30 .0:42It placed the operations sometime during October.0:44The exact day and location haven't been disclosed.0:47China hasn't described how the drone left the deck or how it landed.0:51Those details would show whether the aircraft used the ship's intended launch system0:55and how it completed its return.0:56The Type706 is designed to use an electromagnetic catapult to launch fixed wing1:01drones.1:01That equipment accelerates an aircraft off the deck.1:04But the October announcement doesn't say whether a catapult launched this flight or1:07whether a cable caught the aircraft when it returned.1:10Sichuan was launched in Shanghai on December27,2024 .1:14It later left Hudong, Zhanghua Shipyard for sea trials.1:17Launching the hull and testing it underway were earlier steps toward operating1:20aircraft from its deck.1:22The ship's first navigation test lasted three days.1:25That tested the vessel at sea.1:26While the October claim concerns an aircraft leaving and returning to it, each1:30milestone tackles a different part of making the ship work.1:33Sichuan began its first sea trial on November14,2025 , and completed that navigation1:38test on November16.1:40The reported aircraft operation came in October2026 , adding a claimed flight1:44milestone to the ship's development.1:46The GJ-20 ,1 is a naval version of the GJ-11 unmanned combat aircraft associated1:51with China's Air Force.1:52Its naval fittings include a catapult launch bar and an arrestor hook, which can1:56catch a landing cable.1:57Those features show what the aircraft is intended to do aboard a ship.2:00A February5 report identified a GJ20 ,1 Mach up aboard Sichuan.2:05Images published May1 showed a flying GJ20, one with its landing gear extended and a2:10visible launch bar.2:11The photograph's publication date doesn't tell us when they were taken.2:14The model showed a representation of the aircraft on deck.2:17The flight photographs showed an aircraft airborne with naval hardware.2:20Neither captured the departure, and return sequence now claimed for Sichuan.2:25July imagery depicting a GJ20.2:27One launch from Sichuan was computer simulated.2:29Further sightings in August showed flight over land.2:32Those earlier appearances explain why an actual shipboard takeoff and landing would2:36represent a meaningful advance.2:37China's October announcement claims that advance, but the operation still needs2:41confirmation beyond the announcement.2:43Even a successful departure and return would leave more to demonstrate before the2:46ship and aircraft could be treated as combat.2:48Ready.2:49The next consequential evidence is how the drone launched and recovered, and whether2:53the ship can repeat that cycle as an accepted operational system.2:56Sustained flights, performance in demanding conditions, and weapons use would show3:00how much military capability that integration delivers.Lees het artikelTijdlijn van het verhaalHeyDex
