Recently, with a series of new stealth loyal wingman models or actual prototypes surfacing in China, it has attracted global attention. According to a report by the U.S. "The War Zone" column, at least five different types of loyal wingman drones are about to be unveiled, including designs similar to FH-97, tailless delta-wing stealth models, and the GJ-11 Jianshan stealth flying wing drone, among others.
The large number of models and diverse designs have left Western media in awe, prompting them to ask: Why does China need so many stealth loyal wingman drones? The answer lies in the deep strategic layout of the Chinese Air Force — these drones are not simple copies but are tailored for different operational needs, demonstrating China's global leadership in the field of unmanned aviation.
Firstly, from the perspective of cost, the core logic behind China developing multiple loyal wingmen is the diversification of cost-effectiveness. Some models are designed as low-cost, expendable drones, such as the subsonic design similar to FH-97. These drones have relatively low costs and are suitable for mass production and deployment. In high-intensity conflicts, they can serve as "cannon fodder" to attract enemy fire or perform suicide missions. In contrast, other high-end models, such as the GJ-11 Jianshan stealth flying wing, use more expensive materials and technology, emphasizing long endurance and high stealth performance, suitable for high-intensity penetration missions. This tiered design ensures that the Chinese Air Force can comprehensively cover from low-end expendables to high-end sustained operations within limited budgets, avoiding the cost bottleneck of a single model.
Secondly, the differentiation in flight speed is another key reason. Some loyal wingmen pursue extreme stealth but have relatively slower speeds, such as those with a flying wing layout without a tail. These drones may have speeds controlled in the subsonic or low supersonic range, suitable for accompanying bombers or early warning aircraft to carry out long-range reconnaissance or electronic interference missions, avoiding thermal signal exposure caused by high-speed flight. On the other hand, some models emphasize high speed, such as those resembling fighter jets. These high-speed wingmen can operate with fighter jets, quickly penetrating enemy air defense networks. The gradation of speed allows the Chinese Air Force to flexibly adjust according to battlefield rhythms, ensuring appropriate tools for various scenarios ranging from low-speed cruising to high-speed assaults.
Mechanical performance differences also reflect China's multi-model strategy. Some loyal wingmen prioritize extreme stealth performance but use a back-mounted intake layout, which results in slightly lower maneuverability. The top-mounted intake design optimizes belly stealth, but sacrifices some agility, making them suitable for straight-line flight and accompanying large aircraft like the H-6 missile carrier for medium-to-low intensity missions.
In contrast, some models, such as unmanned fighters with belly intakes, have high maneuverability and can perform complex aerial dogfights or avoid missiles. These models may operate in conjunction with the J-20S twin-seat stealth fighter. The grading of maneuverability enables loyal wingmen to easily handle various roles, from static escort to dynamic dogfights.
Finally, the diversification of range further strengthens this strategy. Short-range models are suitable for coastal or land-based operations, such as smaller variants of FH-97, which can take off from aircraft carriers or amphibious ships to perform tactical-level missions. Long-range models, such as the GJ-11 or ultra-large flying wing high-altitude long-endurance drones, can cover thousands of kilometers, accompanying the KJ-500 early warning aircraft for global-level surveillance. The gradation of range ensures seamless coverage for the Chinese Air Force across a wide spectrum from regional defense to long-range projection.
Therefore, in the future, China's loyal wingmen are likely to operate in formations with various aircraft, including bombers, early warning aircraft, fighters, and electronic warfare aircraft, performing a wide range of tasks: from intelligence gathering and electronic suppression to precision strikes and air cover, covering everything.
This obviously requires a considerable number of models to support, forming a highly flexible manned-unmanned ecosystem. The U.S. "The War Zone" column seems to not understand, even feeling "shocked," because only China has the conditions to develop so many stealth loyal wingman drones, no one else. Western countries, constrained by budget and technological limitations, often focus on only a few designs, unable to match China's "bold" approach of deploying a wide array of models. With the official unveiling of these stealth loyal wingmen, the global air combat landscape may undergo a new transformation, as China demonstrates through concrete actions: in the era of unmanned aviation, diversity is the king.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7541289081158894106/
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