SHANGHAI, October 30. /TASS/. Sailors of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) successfully tested the launch and landing of the GJ-21 (Gongji-21) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the Sichuan multi-purpose amphibious assault ship, the Xinhua news agency reported.
The tests mark a breakthrough in the development of China’s amphibious assault ships and demonstrate the PLA Navy’s capability to launch and recover fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles from large naval combat platforms, the agency said.
The GJ-21 is a heavy, low-observable, shipborne reconnaissance and strike UAV. It is 12.2 meters long and 14.4 meters wide.
The Sichuan was launched in Shanghai in December 2024. Its maximum displacement exceeds 40,000 tons. It features a flight deck that spans the entire length of the ship. It is the first of China’s Type 076 ships. The Sichuan is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult and an arresting gear. It can carry fixed-wing UAVs, helicopters, and amphibious assault vehicles. The ship is designed for amphibious and long-distance maritime operations.