The Chinese Type 076 amphibious assault ship LHD 51 Sichuan departed the drydock at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding's older facilities in Shanghai on January 31, 2026, between 12:46 PM and 3:46 PM UTC, carrying what appears to be a GJ-11/21 stealth UCAV drone or mockup onboard, according to satellite imagery analysis by maritime observer Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9). The vessel's exit from drydock marks a significant milestone in its construction, with imagery shared via X user Syrida2887 and the Satellite Defense Force (SDF) confirming the presence of the drone-like structure on deck. No official Chinese statement on the launch has been reported in the three-hour window. Separately, official Chinese media outlet Global Times reported on Saturday details of systematic test flights of newly manufactured J-20A stealth fighter jets, with an expert stating that manufacturer Chengdu Aerospace Corporation has achieved a new level in production capacity, as published in an article linked by @globaltimesnews.
