Imagery has emerged that shows, apparently for the first time, examples of China’s growing series of low-observable combat drones being prepared for naval trials, aboard one of the country’s aviation-capable warships. The location of the drones — at the Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard — points to plans to put them aboard the super-sized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, which was built there. At this stage, it’s not clear if these drones are the genuine articles or, more likely, mockups, but such plans would be in line with previous predictions that this vessel will be capable of supporting high-end aerial drone operations as well as traditional amphibious assaults.
The imagery in question began to circulate recently online, with the initial view showing the rear portion of a drone, with another two just visible behind it. The characteristic twin, outward-canted, and cropped tailfins of these drones suggest that these are a navalized version of the design that has been informally dubbed Type C by Chinese aerospace observers. It is part of a collection of uncrewed aircraft that are considered to be broad Chinese equivalents of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
Interestingly, the vessel seen immediately in front of the drones is the medium-sized cargo ship that appeared last week, packed full of containerized vertical launchers, along with sensors and self-defense systems. You can read all about this development, and the growing possibility that China will weaponize more ships from its extensive commercial fleet, turning them into full-blown arsenal ships, here.
Subsequently, satellite imagery shows the same dockside drones viewed from above, this time revealing the presence of a total of six CCA-type drones, as well as one that looks more like one of the Wing Loong family of medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones. The Sichuan is also seen in dry dock nearby.
Developing a navalized version of the Wing Loong, or a version of another similar MALE drone, would have some parallels to efforts by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to adapt its Gray Eagle STOL, or Short Takeoff and Landing variant, for carrier operations. The carrier capability of the Gray Eagle STOL was first demonstrated by the company-funded Mojave, which has been tested from various flattops.
Once again, it should be considered very possible, if not probable, that the drones in question are mockups, especially given their number. China makes considerable use of aircraft mockups, on land and at sea, to assist with the development and subsequent service introduction of aircraft carriers and assault ships.
The so-called Type C is a subsonic CCA or “loyal wingman”-type drone. Its key features include a swept lambda wing planform, the aforementioned canted tail fins, an internal stores bay, and a single jet engine fed by a dorsal intake. Overall, in terms of configuration, it has some similarities with the U.S.-made XQ-58A Valkyrie, but it is much larger. According to unconfirmed reports, it is said to be optimized for air-to-ground missions, although intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare would also be likely roles. The Type C is one of at least four new CCA-type drones that were publicly unveiled at the parade celebrating 80 years since the defeat of Japan in World War II, held in Beijing on September 3, 2025.
Since the drones are seen dockside at Hudong-Zhonghua, it would make a good deal of sense for them to now be evaluated by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) onboard the Sichuan, which is back in dry dock at the same location. As you can read about here, the first of the Type 076 assault ship left this port for its first sea trials last month.
Thanks to its electromagnetically-powered catapult, the 44,000-ton Type 076 is unlike any other big deck amphibious warship in terms of the kind of air wing that it can accommodate, which is expected to be dominated by uncrewed types.
Previously, Type 076’s air wing was expected to include naval versions of the GJ-11 stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV), sometimes known as the GJ-21. This theory was supported by apparent GJ-11 mockups that appeared at a test and/or training site right on Changxing Island in Shanghai, very close to where the Type 076 was being built. This may well still be the case, but it now looks like a navalized Type C drone, and perhaps also a navalized Wing Loong-type MALE drone will at least supplement it.