China’s Mysterious GJ-X Drone Makes Its First Flight In Public

A new Chinese stealth drone, unofficially dubbed the “GJ-X,” has reportedly taken to the skies for the first time, stirring fresh debate among defense analysts and aviation enthusiasts. Images and videos of the aircraft surfaced on social media platform X over the weekend, though Beijing has made no official acknowledgment of the drone’s existence.

A Shadow Project in the Skies

The aircraft’s name, “GJ-X,” isn’t official—it was coined by Western aviation reporters after earlier satellite images showed the craft parked at Malan Air Base in Xinjiang. The War Zone, which first reported the drone’s existence in September, confirmed that the newly circulated footage appears consistent with that same aircraft. However, the exact location of the test flight remains unknown.

Stealth and Speculation

Featuring a sleek flying-wing design similar to Northrop Grumman’s experimental X-47B, the GJ-X suggests China is moving deeper into advanced stealth and unmanned systems. Analysts have yet to determine its true purpose. Some believe it’s an uncrewed stealth bomber designed for long-range precision strikes, while others argue it’s an autonomous combat drone meant to complement China’s growing fleet of J-20 stealth fighters.