Chinese UAV/UCAV development

Screen captures of BZK-005 weapons test.

Inst said:

Lijian is likely active service (air-to-ground subsonic strike UCAV). Anjian is not.
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Since when is the Lijian likely in active service?

Deino said:

Since when is the Lijian likely in active service?

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I think he is referring to GJ-11; the fact that it was present at the national day parade.

This is one instance where I agree with him, albeit it is worth mentioning just because an asset is displayed/revealed at the national day parade only indicates it is in service with the PLA in some form, and doesn't mention how extensively it is in service or how widely it will be procured.

Bltizo said:

I think he is referring to GJ-11; the fact that it was present at the national day parade.

This is one instance where I agree with him, albeit it is worth mentioning just because an asset is displayed/revealed at the national day parade only indicates it is in service with the PLA in some form, and doesn't mention how extensively it is in service or how widely it will be procured.

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That surprises me!?? I know all these reports claiming, that only operational types were displayed, but following the demonstrator's maiden flight in 2013 we haven't seen this UCAV anywhere, not at its facility, not at Malan nor any other PLAAF base related to UAV & UCAs. So at least IMO I'm very much skeptical ...

Deino said:

That surprises me!?? I know all these reports claiming, that only operational types were displayed, but following the demonstrator's maiden flight in 2013 we haven't seen this UCAV anywhere, not at its facility, not at Malan nor any other PLAAF base related to UAV & UCAs. So at least IMO I'm very much skeptical ...

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I was surprised as well that it was shown at the parade.
I think its presence at the parade supersedes the fact that we've been kept in the dark about its prior development.

I.e.: the PLA are willing to tell to the world that they have such a platform in service in some form, but are being very careful about revealing details of its development or in service status.
Between the initial pictures of its photos back in 2013, and then the complete lack of pictures for 4-5 years with only some rumours of an improved variant being developed and tested, and then in 2019 being revealed at the parade, I think the takeaway is that it was likely developed as something close to the PLA's equivalent of a black project.

The alternative is that Lijian wasn't in development and isn't in service in any form, yet the PLA still chose to display it at the national day parade -- which IMO is far far more unlikely than the above suggestion.

Keep in mind that there have been eyewitness reports, from a few years back and written by a guy who claims to be living in Shenyang, that there were multiple "Sharp Sword" airframes flying and that they were of different colors.

Might be a case of extremely tight OPSEC.

Can someone confirm what type of engine the GJ-11 is using? Is it the WS-13 or RD-33? Why not use the WS-10 instead of a weaker engine like the WS-13 or RD-33?

free_6ix9ine said:

Can someone confirm what type of engine the GJ-11 is using? Is it the WS-13 or RD-33? Why not use the WS-10 instead of a weaker engine like the WS-13 or RD-33?

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IMO since it is a too large engine with a too big diameter.... just my 2 Cents

SinoSoldier said:

Keep in mind that there have been eyewitness reports, from a few years back and written by a guy who claims to be living in Shenyang, that there were multiple "Sharp Sword" airframes flying and that they were of different colors.

Might be a case of extremely tight OPSEC.

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Really ?? I must have missed them.

UAV production resumes at CASC.