UCAVs

Latest in UCAVs

A month after the emergence of satellite imagery that showed GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) in an apparently semi-operational state, China has released the first air-to-air video of the drone. China also revealed that the official People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) name for the GJ-11 is Mysterious Dragon.

China’s Stealthy GJ-11 ‘Mysterious Dragon’ Soars Out Of The Shadows

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 11, 2025

GJ-X Chinese large flying wing drone.

China’s Huge ‘GJ-X’ Stealth Drone Appears To Have Been Spotted In The Air For The First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 19, 2025

China’s Stealth Sharp Sword Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles Deployed To Operational Airbase

China’s Stealth Sharp Sword Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles Deployed To Operational Airbase

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 10, 2025

The massive military parade in Beijing yesterday has provided us with a much closer look at some of the country’s new air combat drones, the gradual emergence of which, in the run-up to the event, prompted much discussion. Of these drones, one, in particular stands out, this being a stealthy tailless design that is also notably large, and which is overall indicative of high performance.

China Unveils Large Unmanned Stealth Fighter Design During Military Parade

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 3, 2025

A front view rendering of PA-Ng, dated 2022.

French Navy Offers Sneak Peek Of Its Future Carrier Air Wing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 22, 2025

A recent satellite image shows what looks to be yet another fighter-esque airframe or test article at Shenyang's main plant in the city of the same name in China.

Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Appears At Chinese Jet Manufacturer Shenyang’s Main Plant

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

Russia's new S-70 flying wing uncrewed aerial vehicle (UCAV) contained dozens of foreign components, according to Ukraine.

S-70 Okhotnik-B

Russia’s S-70 Hunter Flying Wing Drone Downed In Ukraine Packed With Western Components

By Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 8, 2024

China’s mysterious CH-7 stealthy flying-wing drone seems to have reappeared, although with a notably different look to it and a very impressive size.

China’s Stealth CH-7 Long-Endurance Drone Emerges

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 8, 2024

The existence of a top-secret Israeli drone, referred to as RA-01 and used for covert missions, has emerged from an unauthorized disclosure of U.S. intelligence documents which have now been posted all over social media.

The Existence Of Israel’s Secret Stealth Drone Should Come As No Surprise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 22, 2024

France has unveiled plans to develop a new uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) that will complement the forthcoming Rafale F5 crewed fighter, as part of a new-look French Air and Space Force. The industrial side of the drone program will be headed up by Dassault Aviation, drawing upon its previous nEUROn UCAV demonstrator, which has already been used in trials with crewed combat aircraft.

Stealthy Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicle To Work Alongside Future French Rafale Fighters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 8, 2024

KOSTYANTYNIVKA, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 5: Ukrainian servicemen examine the wreckage of a downed Russian aircraft, likely a Sukhoi S-70 "stealth" heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which crashed in a residential area, setting a house on fire on October 5, 2024 in Kostyantynivka, Ukraine.

S-70 Okhotnik-B

Russia’s S-70 Hunter Drone Was Armed When Shot Down By Friendly Fighter Over Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 7, 2024

S-70 Hunter Drone shot down over Ukraine by SU-57

S-70 Okhotnik-B

Why Did Russia Just Shoot Down Its Own Fighter-Sized S-70 Hunter Drone Over Ukraine?

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 5, 2024

Lockheed Martin's losing entry in the first increment of the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program was a very stealthy design, the head of the famed Skunk Works advanced projects division has disclosed. The company is now expecting future CCA increments to revolve around proposals that might lean closer to not just being lower-cost, but maybe even expendable, to support a concept of operations that requires tolerance for very high losses.

Skunk Works’ Losing Loyal Wingman Drone Was Very Stealthy “Gold Plated” Design

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has no plans to acquire stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) capable of operating with very high degrees of autonomy independently of crewed aircraft, at least in the near term publicly, despite surging Chinese developments in this domain.

No Flying Wing UCAVs Being Developed By U.S. Air Force While China Surges Ahead

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 17, 2024

Satellite imagery and videos offer new evidence of a surge in the development of the stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicles in China, especially with regard to the GJ-11 Sharp Sword.

Chinese Flying Wing UCAV Testing Accelerating Based On Satellite Imagery, Videos

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 5, 2024

A new Russian design for a ‘loyal wingman’-type supersonic drone has been unveiled, marking the country’s latest foray into unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). Interestingly, the Kronshtadt company that designed the Grom (meaning Thunder) previously displayed another UCAV under the same name. The new version of the Grom is very different, however, stressing performance and simplicity over low-observable features and other advanced technologies.

S-70 Okhotnik-B

Russia’s Aspirational Grom Combat Drone’s Design Totally Changes, Ditches Stealth For Speed

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 14, 2024