China’s New Drone Carrier Launches, Recovers First Autonomous Combat Aircraft

The Chinese Navy’s new Type 076 drone carrier launched and recovered a stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle for the first time last week in the service’s latest effort to bring the new vessel online. Sichuan (51) carried out flight operations with the GJ-21 stealth reconnaissance-strike drone, according to a People’s Liberation Army Navy news release on Friday. Aside from a graphic, no media of the event has been released. “Since beginning its maiden sea trial in November 2025, Sichuan has st

Source: USNI News