China Confirms First Catapult Launch of GJ-21 Stealth Drone from Type 076 Amphibious Ship
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy confirmed on October 30, 2026, that the GJ-21 stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle successfully completed its first takeoff and landing aboard the Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan. This marks the world’s first operational deployment of a large, fixed-wing stealth strike and reconnaissance drone from an amphibious platform. The Sichuan, launched in December 2024, features electromagnetic catapult and arresting systems, enabling the GJ-21 to operate with a combat radius comparable to manned fighters like the J-20. Analysts highlight the drone’s low cost, reusability, and superior stealth as key advantages over traditional hypersonic missiles, potentially transforming amphibious warfare by allowing non-contact suppression of enemy defenses before ground troops land.