New collaborative drones emerge as China’s tool to strengthen interoperability with its stealth fleet.

As the large military parade scheduled in Beijing on September 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan approaches, new images of Chinese collaborative combat drones have begun to circulate. These systems, referred to in the West as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), have appeared in videos and photographs of the parade preparations, including some shared on X by @Rational314159. They were seen transported on trucks alongside other systems such as rotary-wing drones and unmanned surface vessels. True to its practice of showcasing new military systems during parades, China leaves little doubt about the outcome: these drones are very likely to enter the operational inventory of the People’s Liberation Army.
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China is pursuing multiple solutions simultaneously for future UCAVs and CCAs, intended both for land-based and carrier-based operations. (Picture source: X Channel @Rational314159)

The first images (Top left) of a new CCA reveal an aircraft with contours similar to the FH-97, first shown at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2021. However, this version features a shorter, thicker nose and a wider fuselage, suggesting significant internal volume to house sensors or weapons. The aircraft retains elements associated with the FH-97, including a top-mounted intake, cranked-kite type wings, and canted vertical stabilizers, resembling General Atomics’ MQ-20 Avenger. Observers note that lighting and angle limitations in the photos prevent a more detailed analysis of its structure, particularly the fuselage line and exhaust configuration.

The FH-97, developed by Aerospace Times Feihong Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of the state-owned CASC group, already led to a variant, the FH-97A. This version was distinguished by side-mounted intakes and an electro-optical system inspired by the J-20 fighter, mounted under the nose. Presented at Zhuhai in 2022 and again in 2024 as full-scale models, it raised questions about whether the original FH-97 ever moved beyond concept stage. Analysts such as Andreas Rupprecht even suggested that the first model may never have flown and could have remained a purely exhibition concept. The September parade should clarify whether the prototypes now visible represent the culmination of that lineage or an entirely new project.

Beyond this family, at least five different drone designs have been identified during preparations. Two tailless models with modified delta wings stand out by their larger dimensions compared to the FH-97, which may indicate more advanced performance. One has a slender nose extending into a broad fuselage, while the other shows a bulkier profile. One of these resembles a prototype observed earlier this year at the Shenyang production facility. Two other configurations, featuring diamond-shaped and cranked-kite wings, remain concealed for now. These developments illustrate a diversified approach, with China pursuing multiple solutions simultaneously for future UCAVs and CCAs, intended both for land-based and carrier-based operations.

The J-20 fighter family plays a central role in this framework. The twin-seat J-20S, first revealed in 2022 and seen in flight in 2025 with liveries suggesting near-operational use, is considered well-suited for controlling collaborative drones. The J-20A, now powered by the indigenous WS-15 engines capable of sustained supercruise, marks progress in China’s drive toward technological self-sufficiency. In this context, the GJ-11 Sharp Sword, a stealth flying wing drone officially unveiled in 2019, remains an important asset, though recent evidence suggests it is being directed toward naval applications. Satellite imagery in 2023 and 2024 showed it at test facilities linked to carrier aviation, implying future deployment from amphibious assault ships or carriers such as the Type 076.

The systems to be displayed extend beyond aerial drones. A new intermeshing-rotor drone, a rare configuration reminiscent of the American Kaman K-MAX, could serve naval logistics roles due to its compact and foldable design. In the missile domain, several new models are expected: the YJ-17, with features typical of hypersonic glide designs; the YJ-19, associated with scramjet propulsion; and the YJ-20, with a conical shape previously seen during a 2022 launch from a Type 055 destroyer. A large ballistic-type missile, possibly an intercontinental ballistic missile, is also anticipated.

Other innovations concern the maritime and land domains. Large unmanned underwater vehicles resembling torpedoes, as well as unmanned surface vessels, are likely to be presented. On land, new armored vehicles, partially covered during rehearsals, will be unveiled, with some crews seen equipped with augmented-reality headsets. Uncrewed ground vehicles, along with new air and missile defense systems including directed-energy weapons, complete the expected display.

As with past parades, it remains uncertain which of these systems are already operational, which are prototypes, and which are still at the mock-up stage. Past precedent nevertheless shows that several designs once considered conceptual have transitioned into real capabilities, as with the GJ-11. The 2025 edition may therefore represent another step in the gradual introduction of collaborative drones and next-generation UCAVs into the People’s Liberation Army.

The broader trend is clear: Beijing seeks to build an interconnected arsenal combining fifth-generation crewed aircraft, combat drones, naval platforms, and ballistic capabilities. While the focus remains heavily regional, particularly concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea, the country also emphasizes expanding its long-range projection capacity. The September 3 parade will thus serve as a showcase, both domestically and internationally, of the scale and variety of China’s emerging military capabilities.