According to a report by U.S. publication "Military Observation" on October 12, China has officially deployed the GJ-11 stealth unmanned fighter aircraft at the Rikaze Air Force Base in Tibet. This is the first time that this model has been deployed near the India-China border for combat operations, meaning that the world's first stealth unmanned fighter squadron has officially entered combat readiness.

Satellite imagery shows that at least three GJ-11s have appeared in Rikaze and have been conducting high-altitude test missions for several weeks.

It is understood that the aircraft adopts a tailless flying wing configuration, with features such as small radar cross-section and strong infrared signal suppression. The internal weapons bay can carry glide bombs, anti-radiation missiles, and precision-guided weapons, enabling it to perform air defense suppression, ground attacks, and electronic interference missions while remaining completely stealthy.

Public information indicates that the GJ-11 can be controlled by the twin-seat J-20S through a data link, and together with the high-altitude reconnaissance drone WZ-7 "Xianglong", they form a manned-unmanned collaborative system, achieving an integrated operational chain from reconnaissance to strike.

The construction of a 5,000-meter runway and reinforced hangars at Rikaze Airport indicates that the PLA plans to achieve routine operations of stealth drones in high-altitude areas.

It needs to be emphasized that the GJ-11 is capable of long-term operation in low-pressure, low-temperature environments, which means its engine thrust, avionics system, and AI control algorithms have passed extreme verification.

In short, the emergence of the GJ-11 marks that the Chinese Air Force now possesses unprecedented operational depth and intelligent combat capabilities in high-altitude areas.

GJ-11

The strategic significance of the GJ-11 lies in being a concrete manifestation of the transformation in warfare patterns.

Previously, air force breakthroughs relied on high-risk piloted aircraft and complex formations. Now, through stealth unmanned aircraft, China has achieved zero-risk high-value strikes for the first time.

At the tactical level, it can break through the enemy's radar network ahead of time, implement electronic suppression or destroy air defense positions, and open up safe channels for piloted aircraft such as the J-20 and H-6K.

At the strategic level, it greatly expands the operational range of the air force, allowing China to maintain sustained striking capabilities at a lower cost.

Especially in the highland direction, the GJ-11 can threaten India's three major airbases in the northeast through low-altitude stealth penetration and provide real-time intelligence back to the battlefield command center.

Complementary to this, China is gradually forming a highland intelligent combat system, from the WZ-7 reconnaissance drone to the GJ-11 strike drone, and then to the J-20 command center, forming a complete combat loop.

Even with the S-400 and Su-30MKI, India finds it difficult to effectively defend against low-observability, high-intelligence unmanned stealth aircraft swarms.

This fully illustrates that the GJ-11 has become a new pivot point for regional deterrence and has completely changed the logic of aerial competition.

J-20S commanding GJ-11

The deployment of the GJ-11 marks that the Chinese Air Force has officially entered the era of fifth-generation half. The term "fifth-generation half" does not simply refer to improvements in stealth or speed, but rather a new stage centered on intelligent operations.

The characteristics of fifth-generation aircraft are stealth, super cruise, and information fusion, while the characteristics of fifth-generation half are autonomous decision-making, coordinated control, and AI-driven operations.

The GJ-11 is a physical embodiment of this concept, capable of autonomously avoiding radar, selecting routes, identifying targets, and cooperating with friendly aircraft.

The J-20 is no longer merely a fighter jet but a core node in the combat network, capable of simultaneously directing several drones to perform different tasks: some for reconnaissance, some for luring enemies, and others for strikes.

This swarm-like collaboration transforms the air force's operational form from linear penetration to distributed intelligent decision-making, significantly enhancing battlefield adaptability.

Similar projects in the U.S. West are still in the experimental phase, and there is still a long way to go before practical deployment.

China has already formed an executable tactical system. The significance of this system upgrade is akin to the shock caused by the J-20's first appearance, declaring the beginning of a new stage: the Chinese Air Force is no longer a follower but a definitor.

GJ-11

Looking back, although the U.S. military has long been pushing forward the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and sixth-generation aircraft, these projects are still in the conceptual and prototype validation stages.

Meanwhile, China's GJ-11 and J-20S have formed a functional intelligent air combat system, meaning that China has established a technological advantage in the field of stealth unmanned strikes. From being a follower in the past, it has now become a half-generation ahead. Considering the progress of sixth-generation aircraft, it is not unthinkable to create a full generation gap.

While the U.S. military still relies on expensive, limited-number piloted aircraft to conduct penetration, China can achieve the same goals using low-cost, high-intelligence drone swarms.

As the saying goes, the U.S. is responsible for drawing PPTs, while China is responsible for implementation. The U.S. leads in the conceptual phase, while China leads in the implementation phase.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560584913104192027/

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