China Reveals Large Stealth Fighter Drones, Loyal Wingman Aircraft at Beijing Parade

China is advancing its military aviation capabilities with a focus on both human-piloted and unmanned systems. A new twin-jet engine flying-wing drone has been revealed, potentially showcasing stealth features and developed as a test article by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighting China's growing investment in advanced UAV technology. At the same time, China publicly displayed a retrofitted J-6 fighter jet converted into a drone, used for training and simulated threat roles, demonstrating a layered approach that incorporates both legacy and cutting-edge platforms. The unveiling of the two-seat J-20S stealth fighter jet signals the PLA Air Force's strategy to blend human cognition and AI-enabled systems, supporting manned-unmanned teaming and loyal wingman concepts similar to U.S. approaches. Despite technological advancements, China’s pilot training pipeline faces challenges, including reduced intermediate training and a lack of real combat experience compared to U.S. pilots, which may impact operational effectiveness. Recent military parades further revealed multiple new drone types, including stealth UCAVs and loyal wingmen, indicating China’s parallel pursuit of both high-end and attritable unmanned combat aircraft to enhance its aerial warfare capabilities.