A new stealth drone with a flying wing design and twin engines linked to the Chinese Academy of Sciences appears ahead of the Changchun Air Show; UCAV/ISR tracks and technical challenges.
Summary
A Chinese UCAV with a flying wing configuration and twin-engine propulsion was observed in Changchun (Jilin) ahead of the Changchun Air Show (September 19-23, 2025). The prototype bears the logo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and features a dorsal hump with dorsal intakes on either side, two separate nozzles, and finishes that are still industrial (visible fasteners). The overall design aims to reduce RCS (radar cross section), but the exhausts and certain details suggest that this is an evolutionary demonstrator. This program is part of an already well-developed Chinese ecosystem: GJ-11 “Sharp Sword” carrier-based UCAVs, large ISR HALE drones, and new “CCA/loyal wingman” airframes airframes. Probable missions: air-to-ground penetration, high-altitude ISR, communications relay, and electronic warfare. Comparatively, Russia (S-70 Okhotnik), Turkey (TAI Anka-3), India (Ghatak/SWiFT), and Europe (nEUROn) are following similar trajectories, with similar technical compromises. The strategic consequence is clear: diversification and densification of China’s offering of low-signature combat and ISR drones, with an operational focus on the PLAAF and naval forces.
The platform observed: what the Changchun photos show
Photos taken in Changchun, Jilin Province, show an unmanned flying wing aircraft powered by two turbojet engines, with a pronounced dorsal hump and air intakes on either side. At the rear, two separate nozzles are visible. The fuselage and wingspan have not been disclosed; the overall appearance indicates that the engines are housed high up in the central section, freeing up internal space for fuel, cargo holds, antennas, or sensors. The presence of the Chinese Academy of Sciences logo points to a leading role for public institutions in the design and testing. The non-flush fasteners and some visible joints on the wings confirm that this is a “test item” rather than a production standard. As for the timeline, the municipality has announced the event will take place from September 19 to 23, 2025, which fits with the appearance of the aircraft on the site. In the Chinese context, these presentations often serve as public milestones for development that is already active in the background, with rapid iterations between models, rolling demonstrators, and then test flights. The technical message is twofold: the maturation of low-signature cell industrialization chains and the rise of a twin-engine architecture, chosen for its redundancy and available thrust for long, energy-intensive missions (sensors, data links, electronic warfare).
Stealth design and its compromises: intakes, exhausts, and SER
The design seeks to reduce SER through an overall flat geometry, a “chine” edge at the leading edge of the central section, and indented intakes to mask the compressor blades. The dorsal intake limits the exposure of hot parts at low angles of attack and reduces the lateral visibility of the engines. However, the nozzles remain simply recessed into the structure: without deep masks or mixers, the IR and rear RCS remain high for a very high level of penetration. Visible fasteners and local discontinuities (panels, potential cargo bay edges) degrade electromagnetic regularity. At this stage, there is no indication of a flattened or “toothed” (serrated) gas ejection system comparable to the most efficient solutions. In terms of materials, carbon composites and honeycomb sandwich structures can be expected; the use of RAM (Radar-Absorbent Materials) paints is likely, but their effectiveness will depend on thickness, frequency band, and treated areas. Finally, the twin-engine airframe provides useful thrust at high altitude, at the cost of an increased radar and infrared signature. This compromise is consistent with a “capacity/volume” demonstrator rather than an aircraft optimized solely for penetrating a NATO-level IADS. The consistency of the whole suggests further developments: redesign of the exhausts, smoothing of the joints, flush cowlings and hatches, conformal antennas, and even treatment of the inlets to attenuate radar harmonic returns.
The Chinese ecosystem: from the GJ-11 to stealth HALE, the role of CAS and countermeasures
The Changchun aircraft did not appear out of nowhere. Since 2019, the GJ-11 “Sharp Sword” has served as a showcase for an operational stealth UCAV, with two internal bays estimated at nearly 2 tons and a flying wing airframe, now expected to be available in a naval version (foldable wings) for aircraft carriers. Recent parades have also showcased new-generation UCAVs and “collaborative combat aircraft” (CCAs). At the same time, China is working on very large stealth ISR HALE drones: satellite images taken in 2025 of the Malan base (Xinjiang) revealed large flying wing airframes, suggesting flight profiles above 15,000 m, long endurance (more than 20 hours), over-the-horizon data links, and broadband surveillance payloads (SAR, ELINT/COMINT). In this system, the Chinese Academy of Sciences plays a scientific coordination role: structures, materials, sensors, signal processing, embedded AI; its laboratories supply the industry with technological building blocks, in a “civil-military” approach. Historically, the People’s Liberation Army (air and sea) has paraded systems that are still in the technological development phase, but many end up flying and then entering limited service before ramping up production. This media phasing creates a communication effect, but also reflects a strategy of rapid iteration on platforms, sensors, and mission architectures, with an accelerated learning curve.
Probable uses: penetration, ISR, relay, and electronic warfare
Beyond the airframe, the advantage of a twin-engine flying wing is its volume capacity and mission flexibility. For attack missions, a central cargo bay can carry 250 to 500 kg of guided munitions, with medium-altitude approach profiles followed by a short descent to the firing point in order to limit radar exposure. In ISR, the internal surface area and available power allow for the integration of synthetic aperture SAR (X/Ku bands), large ELINT/COMINT payloads, hyperspectral optronic balls, and conformal antennas. As a communications relay, the aircraft can carry multi-band radios and mesh links to connect fighters, drone swarms, and naval sensors, creating a tactical cloud deployed at 12,000–16,000 m. In electronic warfare, the volume and energy on board allow for directional jamming, DRFM decoys, and target illumination for cooperative weapons. In a “loyal wingman” version, the airframe escorts a manned fighter, creates anti-radar saturation axes, and fires stand-off munitions from offset positions. Current limitations (untreated nozzles, finishes) do not prevent operational use: a “block 1” standard can already be used as a sensor-link integration bench, ISR relay, or test platform for stealth optimization, while the factory chain matures masking exhaust solutions, more homogeneous composites, and flush hatches. The switch to naval embarkation would also require a reinforced landing gear, arresting hooks, and corrosion protection.
International comparisons: Russia, Turkey, India, Europe
Russia is fielding the S-70 “Okhotnik” (wingspan ~20 m, empty weight over 10 t), designed to operate with the Su-57; its airframe has evolved towards a more “stealthy” nozzle after an initial prototype with a conventional circular outlet. Turkey flew the Anka-3 in late 2023 (MTOW ~6.5 t; endurance ~10 h; ceiling ~12,000 m), with internal cargo bay and limited external stations; weapons testing followed in 2024. India is advancing incrementally with the SWiFT demonstrator (flight in 2022, campaigns in 2023) and a more ambitious Ghatak (target payload ~1.5 t), supported by flight endurance tests. Europe, via the nEUROn (first flight in 2012), has validated stealth components and mission architectures, but has remained at the demonstrator stage, awaiting series programs. These comparisons shed light on China’s choices: twin engines for redundancy, volume for heavy sensors, and sustained effort on very large stealth HALE (Malan bases). Compared to the S-70, the airframe seen in Changchun appears less voluminous and more oriented towards sensor/link modularity than towards heavy payload. Compared to the Anka-3, the Chinese twin-engine solution opens up more ambitious profiles in terms of altitude and onboard power, at the cost of an increased signature to deal with. Finally, Europe’s lead in controlled stealth testing (nEUROn) illustrates the cost and time required to stabilize an airframe that is truly difficult to detect in operations.
Strategic consequences: densification, saturation, and PLAAF posture
Operationally, the arrival of a new intermediate stealth aircraft allows the PLAAF to densify its “sensor-shooter” spectrum. On the one hand, there are GJ-11-type penetration UCAVs for discreet attacks; on the other, stealthy HALE for persistent intelligence, target designation, communications relay, and multi-domain synchronization. Between the two, the cell observed in Changchun could act as an aggregator: collecting, merging, networking, and, as needed, firing limited stand-off munitions. In a regional scenario, this framework multiplies the axes of approach, dilutes the enemy’s defense, and fuels saturation by volume: dozens of coordinated platforms, each with 300 to 600 kg of sensors/weapons, force the enemy to spread its fire and radars, increasing the cost of interceptions and the risk of logistical exhaustion. Strategically, the effect is twofold: psychological pressure in peacetime through parades and trade shows; technical preparation in times of crisis with already tested architectures. In terms of limitations, stealth is not absolute: multi-static networks, modern IRST, and passive radio-electrical surveillance detect anomalies; China will therefore have to make progress on IR (nozzles, cooling), surface quality control, and above all EMCON discipline. Finally, caution is required: public announcements do not guarantee industrial production rates or software maturity. However, the pace of “appearances-trials-deployments” is accelerating, and the Chinese industrial environment is capable of producing a first batch quickly, even if it means iterating in successive blocks.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.