--- title: "Glimpses Of China’s New Air Combat Drones Emerge Ahead Of Massive Military Parade" description: "Stealthy new autonomous drones are among a slew of new capabilities China is set to showcase at its huge upcoming military parade." date: "2025-08-17" modified: "2025-08-17" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/glimpses-of-chinas-new-air-combat-drones-emerge-ahead-of-massive-military-parade" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "China" - "Drones" - "Indo-Pacific" - "News & Features" - "Unmanned" --- # Glimpses Of China’s New Air Combat Drones Emerge Ahead Of Massive Military Parade ![New views of Chinese ‘loyal wingman’ type drones, or at least mockups thereof, that are set to make their debut at a major upcoming military parade have emerged.]() *Chinese Internet* More imagery of Chinese ‘loyal wingman’ type drones, or at least mockups thereof, that [are set to make their official debut]() at a major upcoming military parade has emerged. The uncrewed aircraft are just one part of a massive reveal of new capabilities around this event, some possibly aspirational, but some very real. At least five different loyal wingmen drones, also now commonly referred to as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by the USAF, had already been expected to be shown at the upcoming parade in Beijing, based on satellite imagery of the preparations [that *TWZ* previously reported on](). It is possible that some of the designs are higher-performance uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) with enhanced degrees of autonomy, but that could still have collaborative capabilities. The [GJ-11 Sharp Sword]() stealthy flying-wing drone, a centerpiece of Chinese UCAV developments to date, and lower-tier medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) types will also be part of the parade. We can now see that one of the designs that will be shown at the parade, seen below, has a clear resemblance to [the FH-97](), which is at least heavily inspired by [the XQ-58A Valkyrie]() from U.S. drone maker Kratos. However, the others do not readily align with known Chinese types. ![]() *A drone with a design similar to the FH-97 seen in a picture of the ongoing parade preparations that emerged on Saturday. *Chinese Internet** Yesterday, a new image emerged offering a better look at one of the designs, which has a traditional wing and tail arrangement, as well as a top-mounted air intake. Another picture of this drone also began circulating online earlier today. As noted, it has distinct similarities to the FH-97, which [was first shown publicly]() at China's Zhuhai Airshow in 2021. The angular shaping of the vertical stabilizers, in particular, very much aligns with the FH-97, as well as the XQ-58. ![]() *The FH-97-esque drone seen on a truck on the street in another picture that appeared online today. *Chinese Internet** ![]() *A model of the FH-97 on display at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2021. *Chinese Internet** ![]() *A comparative look at the tail of the FH-97-esque drone seen as part of the parade preparations (at left), the tail of the FH-97 as shown in a past render (at center), and the tail of the XQ-58 (at right). *Chinese Internet/USAF** Comparisons have also been drawn to General Atomics [YFQ-42A](), which is now under development for [the U.S. Air Force's CCA program](), but that design has vertical stabilizers with a different trapezoidal shape. ![]() *A rendering of the YFQ-42A. *General Atomics** It is worth noting here that the company behind the FH-97, Aerospace Times Feihong Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of the state-run China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), also presented a very different design dubbed [the FH-97A]() in 2022. Unlike the FH-97, the FH-97A is a dead ringer for [the MQ-28 Ghost Bat]() developed by Boeing's division in Australia. What we are seeing now might be a further addition to the FH-97 line. Today, additional images emerged showing two of the other new drone designs, which are tailless with modified delta wings. One of the designs has a very slender nose in front of a significantly wider body, while the other (also seen in an image at the top of this story) has a broader nose and center section. Both of them are still under wraps, with details that could point to their engine layouts and other features obscured. Based on their sizes compared to the trucks carrying them, the two drones are significantly larger than the FH-97-esque design. The larger size of the drones also points to higher performance. ![]() *The tailless drone design with the slender nose. *Chinese Internet** ![]() *The drone design with the broader overall profile. *Chinese Internet** ![]() **Chinese Internet** It's also worth noting that the drone with the broader design is highly similar, if not the same, as an airframe or mockup thereof spotted in satellite imagery of the Chinese plane maker Shenyang’s main plant earlier this year, which [*TWZ* was first to report on](). However, it is not entirely clear from what we can see now if the wings on the two designs are exactly the same. ![]() *The next-generation fighter-like airframe or mockup seen at Shenyang’s main plant on Jan. 1, 2025. *PHOTO © 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** Two other drone designs seen in the previous satellite imagery of the parade preparations, which also appear to be tailless with modified diamond-like delta and cranked-kite wings, have yet to come into clearer view. ![]() *Drones set to be shown at the parade on Sept. 3 seen in a satellite image from Google Earth taken in June. *Google Earth** As *TWZ* has previously reported, all of this reflects China's clear pursuit of [multiple CCA and/or UCAV designs]() for land-based use, as well as operations [from aircraft carriers]() and [big-deck amphibious warfare ships](). The [two-seat J-20S stealth fighter]() is also now routinely depicted acting as an airborne drone controller, a [role *TWZ* has long highlighted]() as being ideal for the aircraft. The [KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft]() is also regularly discussed as part of China's future crewed-uncrewed air combat ecosystem, and it has been suggested that the [H-6 missile carrier aircraft]() could act as a launch platform for lower-tier tactical drones. https://twitter.com/HenriKenhmann/status/1580279637506228224 https://twitter.com/Hurin92/status/1941366275973972137 https://twitter.com/louischeung_hk/status/1580083443136106497 China has also secured a broader position as a global leader in [advanced uncrewed aviation developments](). What appears to be a very large, low-observable, flying-wing, high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft also emerged earlier this year, as [*TWZ* was first to report](). ![]() *The very large flying wing design seen at China’s secretive test base near Malan in Xinjiang province in a satellite image taken on May 14, 2025. *PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** Beyond CCA/UCAV-type drones, the upcoming parade, which will take place on September 3, will mark the 80th anniversary of the country’s victory over Japan in World War II, is going to feature a variety of what Chinese authorities have referred to as “new-type combat capabilities.” On the uncrewed aviation front, what looks to be a new vertical takeoff and landing-capable drone will be on display. From what can be seen of the design so far, it may have a twin intermeshing rotor design. This is a rare configuration for helicopters, crewed or uncrewed. The Kaman Corporation in the United States is best known for producing designs with this configuration, including a pair of CQ-24 drone versions of the company's [K-MAX helicopter](), which the U.S. [Marine Corps operated for a time in Afghanistan](). https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1956717670201761883 https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1956994910034207115 Imagery of the ongoing preparations shows that a number of new missile designs are also set to make their public debut. This includes the YJ-17, which has a shape in line with past ['waverider' type hypersonic missiles](), as well as the YJ-19, with a style of air intake often seen on designs [with scramjet engines](). Another design, labeled YJ-20, has a long conical-like shape that is very much in line with [a mysterious missile seen being fired]() from what was said to be a [Type 055 destroyer]() in a video that appeared online in 2022. https://twitter.com/RickJoe_PLA/status/1956887198349058286 https://twitter.com/someplaosint/status/1956770236239356322 What may be a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), or another type of very large weapon with a ballistic-missile like capability, as well as other new ground-launched missiles, also look set to be unveiled at the parade. https://twitter.com/dex_eve/status/1956727197076746274 https://twitter.com/shahpas/status/1956738597689720892 Previously unseen [very large uncrewed underwater vehicles]() (UUV) with torpedo-like shapes, as well as uncrewed surface vessels (USV), will also be showcased at the parade. https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1956766585504571547 Images now circulating online also confirm that a number of new crewed tracked and wheeled armored vehicles will also be featured prominently in the parade. There had been speculation that at least one new armored vehicle design would break cover at the event after a video [showing mysteriously unidentified vehicles concealed]() underneath large, box-like structures began circulating on social media in July. Some of the armored vehicle crew members seen taking part in the parade preparations are wearing headsets of a kind often associated [with augmented reality]() vision [systems](). Uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV) will also be on display at the parade. https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1956946947732066625 https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1956710067912474942 https://twitter.com/nickatgreat1220/status/1956689464996348079?s=46&t=WGR8ATVuYlDW934sMHUUhQ https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1957117483132870675 https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1956765845063147957 A variety of ground-based air and missile defense systems, including directed energy weapons, will take part in the parade, as well. https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1956736119023784028 https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1956708104688521552 It is, of course, important to stress that it is not immediately clear how many of the drones and other 'new' systems that will take part in the parade are actually operational or even close to being put into service. [Mockups have been shown]() at [many major Chinese military parades]() in the past. At the same time, in many cases, those designs have turned into very real capabilities, with [the GJ-11 being one of the best-known]() examples. A stealthier iteration of the GJ-11 design was [one of the big reveals at a parade]() to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Communist state in China in 2019. All of this reflects larger efforts by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to modernize its capabilities across the board. While the PLA retains a heavy regional focus, including around preparedness for a [potential military intervention against Taiwan]() and [enforcing China's widely rejected territorial claims]() in [the South China Sea](), it has also been working to expand its ability to project power further and further abroad. The PLA's [nuclear deterrence capabilities]() and [associated doctrine]() have [also evolved significantly]() in recent years. Altogether, Beijing looks set to make full use of the upcoming parade on Sept. 3 to send signals globally through the official debut of a host of new CCA/UCAV-type drones and many other advanced capabilities, big and small. *Contact the author: joe@twz.com* ## Author Joseph is *TWZ’s* Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]()