Saturday, March 29, 2025
China Shocks the U.S. as Its New Stealth Drone Takes Flight — Is It a Next-Gen Bomber?
Beijing, October 22, 2025 — In a move that has stunned global defense observers, China has reportedly flown its new stealth flying-wing drone for the first time — an aircraft many experts believe could be the prototype of the country’s next-generation stealth bomber. The video of this mysterious “cranked-kite” aircraft, unofficially referred to as GJ-X, surfaced on Chinese social media on October 19, drawing worldwide attention.
The Stealth Drone’s First Flight Raises Eyebrows in Washington
According to a report by The War Zone, the same aircraft was earlier spotted in satellite images captured in August over Malang Airbase, located in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Analysts suggest the wingspan of the drone measures around 42 meters (138 feet) — a size comparable to large strategic bombers rather than traditional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
This dimension places it in the same class as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, the United States’ newest stealth strategic bomber, currently under development. The B-21, designed to carry both conventional and nuclear payloads, is expected to form the backbone of America’s future bomber fleet alongside the aging B-52 Stratofortress.
Military Analysts Divided Over Its Purpose
While Beijing has not officially confirmed the aircraft’s designation or purpose, defense experts remain divided. Some analysts believe the aircraft could be a massive unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) optimized for reconnaissance and precision strikes. Others suggest it may be an unmanned stealth bomber prototype, bridging the gap until the long-awaited H-20 stealth bomber becomes operational.
Chinese military commentator Chen Xi, speaking on Shenzhen TV, described the drone as a medium-range strategic bomber. He said, “The next-generation H-20 hasn’t been unveiled yet, but now we have a medium-range bomber roughly comparable in size to the B-21.”
China’s Stealth Ambitions: From H-20 to GJ-X
Back in 2016, China announced it was developing a long-range stealth bomber, later confirmed to be the H-20. However, the aircraft has yet to make its public debut. Lieutenant General Wang Wei, Deputy Commander of the Chinese Air Force, stated in March 2024 that the bomber’s official unveiling was imminent. Despite this, U.S. defense assessments suggest that the H-20 may not enter service until the 2030s.
The emergence of this new stealth drone — with a wingspan and shape strikingly similar to the B-21 Raider — signals that China may be accelerating its stealth technology programs, potentially aiming to close the gap with U.S. air power.
Geopolitical Implications
The timing of this test flight is particularly significant, as U.S.-China tensions continue to escalate over trade, technology, and military dominance in the Indo-Pacific. Washington’s defense circles are likely to monitor the development closely, as the appearance of such a drone indicates that Beijing is rapidly catching up in advanced aerospace and stealth warfare capabilities.
