A video of Cloud Shadow 5000T flying-wing UCAV's flight has surfaced on Chinese social media after its reveal in 2022. The single-engine UCAV has a greater aspect ratio than the GJ-11 and a smaller engine, suggesting a platform emphasizing ISR missions with higher endurance. The GJ-11 was also spotted in flight not long ago, a week and a half ago.
The UCAV is planned to act as a loyal wingman to J-20 fifth-generation fighters and operate from aircraft carriers and the EMALS-fitted Type 076 LHD. In addition to these UCAVs, China has also developed the Cloud Shadow, a counterpart to the U.S.-made MQ-20 Avenger with a more conventional structure.
Works on flying-wing UCAVs which offer significant advantages in stealth are being worked on by Turkiye (ANKA-3), China, the U.S. (Gambit-4), Russia (S-70 Okhotnik-B), and India (Ghatak). However, no tail control surfaces are challenging in keeping the aircraft stable, requiring advanced flight control systems.
