--- title: "China’s New Drone Wingmen Look Set For Military Parade Unveiling" description: "Satellite imagery of preparations for a major upcoming military parade in China shows that new 'loyal wingman' type drones, or at least mockups thereof, are set to be revealed. A video clip has now emerged that is also drawing new…" date: "2025-07-21" modified: "2025-07-21" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/new-autonomous-air-combat-drones-look-set-to-be-unveiled-at-upcoming-china-military-parade" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "China" - "Drones" - "Indo-Pacific" - "News & Features" - "Stealth" - "Unmanned" --- # China’s New Drone Wingmen Look Set For Military Parade Unveiling ![Satellite imagery of preparations for a major upcoming military parade in China points to the possibility that one or more 'loyal wingman' type drones, or at least mockups thereof, are set to be revealed.]() *Google Earth* Satellite imagery of preparations for a major upcoming military parade in China shows that new 'loyal wingman' type drones, or at least mockups thereof, are set to be revealed. A video clip has now emerged that is also drawing new attention [to Chinese crewed-uncrewed]() teaming [developments](). Google Earth recently updated its library to include a satellite image taken on June 11, 2025, of a military base in Yangfang, a suburb northwest of the Chinese capital of Beijing. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) [regularly uses the facility]() to stage assets and train for large-scale parades. In June, Chinese authorities [announced]() that a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the country's victory over Japan in World War II would be held on Sept. 3, and that it would feature unspecified "new-type combat capabilities." Nearly two weeks ago, video also emerged [showing mysteriously unidentified vehicles concealed]() underneath large, box-like structures, prompting speculation that a new armored vehicle will also be unveiled at the event. The June 11 image, which began circulating online last week, shows hundreds of vehicles, including what look to be self-propelled artillery pieces and transporter erector launchers for large ballistic missiles, and other materiel in neat rows at various areas of the Yangfang base. Of particular interest are drones under wraps on trailers at the northern end of the facility. The PLA [has unveiled new]() and [updated uncrewed aircraft designs]() in this same way at past parades in Beijing. ![]() *The drones seen at Yangfang in the June 11, 2025, image. *Google Earth** ![]() *Some of vehicles and other materiel also seen at the Yangfang base in the June 11, 2025, satellite image. *Google Earth** Though the resolution of the satellite image is low, what look to be [GJ-11 Sharp Sword]() stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV), as well as what may be either [Wing Loong]() or CH-4/5 [Rainbow-series]() medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) types, are present. A [BZK-005](), another MALE design, looks to be visible, too. ![]() *A close-up showing what looks to be a GJ-11 Sharp Sword, at right, and a MALE drone type, at left. *Google Earth** ![]() *A model of a Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword flying wing UCAV on display. *Yang Suping/VCG via Getty Images** ![]() *A GJ-2 Wing Loong II drone. *Chen Xiao/VCG via Getty Images CHENXIAO** ![]() *A CH-4 drone. The newer CH-5 has a broadly similar configuration. *VCG/VCG via Getty Images** However, there are five airframes visible in the June 11 image that do not readily align with known Chinese types, and that look to be in line with loyal wingman-type designs. Four of them look to be tailless with modified diamond-like delta and cranked-kite wings, while the last one has what appears to be a more traditional wing and tail arrangement. The designs range in length from approximately 30 to 38 feet (nine to 12 meters), and in wingspan from 20 to 35 feet (six to 11 meters). ![]() *At left, a close-up showing four possibly tailless designs with modified diamond-like delta and cranked-kite wings. At right, a close-up of the design that looks to have a more traditional wing and tail configuration. *Google Earth** Additional analysis of drones seen in the satellite image by Andreas Rupprecht, a Chinese aviation expert and [contributor to this website](), and Rick Joe, a long-time tracker of Chinese military developments, aligns with that of *TWZ*. https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1945529896832221244 https://twitter.com/RickJoe\_PLA/status/1945669319238836662 Just this past weekend, a video also began circulating online showing what looks to be a tailless aircraft with a modified diamond-like delta platform flying in formation with a Y-8/9-series turboprop. The clip also shows a second Y-8/9 trailing behind by itself. An additional still image, which looks to be a frame from a separate video showing the same tailless design, has also emerged. Where and when the video or the separate still image were taken is unclear, but what is visible in both has some very broad similarities with one of the designs seen in the June satellite image of Yangfang. https://twitter.com/Defence\_IDA/status/1946777868345704647 https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1946630315633479798 The possibility has been raised that the recently emerged video and still image may show one of China's two new stealthy crewed combat jets, either [the Chengdu J-36]() or the Shenyang design referred to variously as [the J-XDS and J-50](). However, the planform does not directly match that of either of the next-generation fighters, and it also looks to be smaller based on its size relative to the accompanying Y-8/9. Questions have also been raised about whether filters enabled by default on many phone cameras may have 'transformed' an existing aircraft type, [like a J-16 fighter](), into a 'new' design. This seems especially unlikely given the absence of vertical tails or any artifacts thereof. There are no immediately clear signs of any other kind of manipulation. It is also interesting to note that another next-generation fighter-like airframe or mockup with a modified diamond-like delta platform emerged at Shenyang’s main plant earlier this year, as [*TWZ* was first to report](). That design does not appear to align with the J-XDS/J-50, but also looks to be longer (roughly 50 feet/15 meters) than any of the possible loyal wingman drones seen in the satellite image of Yangfang. ![]() *The next-generation fighter-like airframe or mockup seen at Shenyang's main plant on Jan. 1, 2025. *PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** Regardless of what is seen in the June 11 satellite image, as well as the video and still image that more recently emerged, the PLA is very actively pursuing multiple types of loyal wingmen-type drones, and crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities, in general. The aforementioned GJ-11 UCAV is [understood to be a centerpiece of those efforts](), but other lower-tier uncrewed designs intended to operate closely with crewed aircraft have also been shown in China in recent years. This includes China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's (CASC) [FH-97]() and [FH-97A](), designs at least heavily inspired by Kratos' [XQ-58A Valkyrie]() and Boeing Australia's [MQ-28 Ghost Bat](), respectively. https://twitter.com/HenriKenhmann/status/1580279637506228224 In addition, the [two-seat J-20S stealth fighter]() is now regularly depicted in official graphics as an airborne drone controller, [something *TWZ* has long highlighted]() as an ideal role for the aircraft. The [KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft](), based on the Y-9 turboprop, is also often discussed as part of this future crewed-uncrewed air combat ecosystem. The concept, at least, of using [H-6 missile carrier aircraft]() as airborne launch platforms for lower-end tactical uncrewed air vehicles [has also been put forward](). https://twitter.com/Hurin92/status/1941366275973972137 https://twitter.com/louischeung\_hk/status/1580083443136106497 Chinese drones initially developed for use in close cooperation with crewed platforms could also operate ever more independently, including in networked swarms, as time goes on. The PLA is actively pursuing [advanced autonomous aviation capabilities](), driven in part by developments in [artificial intelligence and machine learning](). More broadly, China [continues to cement its position]() as a global leader in [advanced uncrewed aviation developments](). In June, [*TWZ* first reported on the emergence]() of what could be a very large, low-observable, flying-wing, long-endurance unmanned aircraft. ![]() *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** Furthermore, the PLA's pursuit of stealthy flying wing UCAVs like the GJ-11 stands in particular contrast to [the U.S. military's abandonment of interest]() in similar capabilities years ago, at least in the unclassified domain. The U.S. Air Force, at least publicly, continues to be [outspoken about eschewing UCAVs]() in favor of [less-exquisite, but also lower-cost designs]() to [pair with crewed aircraft](). Two so-called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), the General Atomics [YFQ-42A]() and [Anduril YFQ-44A](), are in development for the Air Force now and are set to fly for the first time this year. The service, as well as [other branches of the U.S. military](), is expecting to ultimately field multiple CCA types [acquired through iterative development cycles](). ![]() *A composite rendering of the YFQ-44A, at top, and YFQ-42A, at bottom. *USAF** There has also been a recent surge in PLA crewed aviation developments, including the emergence of the [J-36 and J-XDS/J-50 last December](). A new jet-powered airborne early warning and control aircraft, based on the Y-20 cargo plane and [referred to as KJ-3000](), also emerged that month. The [J-20S]() and a [navalized variant of the J-35 stealth fighter]() also look poised to enter operational service. As the PLA continues to prepare for the upcoming parade in September, new details about ongoing loyal wingman-type drone developments, as well as work on other previously unseen capabilities, may begin to emerge. *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]()