GJ-21 stealth drone makes first take-off and landing on Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan.
Xinhua reported on 30 October that, according to the navy, the GJ-21, the PLA's first carrier-based reconnaissance-strike stealth drone, recently made its first take-off and landing on the Sichuan, China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, marking the navy's ability to operate fixed-wing stealth drones from large maritime combat platforms. China Military Online said the operation took place during consecutive sea trials in late October. The Sichuan, hull number 51, was launched and named on 27 December 2024 and uses an automatic landing guidance system, an integrated electric power system and electromagnetic catapult and arresting technology; it can carry fixed-wing drones, helicopters and amphibious equipment, and has been conducting sea trials since November 2025. The South China Morning Post reported the milestone citing state media.
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