Reported GJ-21 Drone Launch and Recovery Aboard China's Sichuan

A report says a GJ-21 unmanned combat air vehicle launched from and was recovered aboard the Sichuan, a Type 076 amphibious assault ship. The reported operations have not been independently visually confirmed.

Key details

• The Sichuan is described as having an electromagnetic catapult and aircraft-arresting equipment for fixed-wing unmanned aircraft operations.
• The report identifies maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike as potential roles for fixed-wing unmanned aircraft aboard the ship.

A report says a GJ-21 launched from and returned to the Type 076 ship Sichuan.

Why it matters

Catapults can launch aircraft from a ship, while arresting equipment helps bring them back aboard. The reported pairing of those systems with fixed-wing unmanned aircraft points to a ship-based aviation configuration beyond helicopters.