New satellite images published by US-based military publication The War Zone (TWZ) revealed that China was simultaneously testing massive stealth unmanned aerial vehicles at the high-security Malan Air Base in the Xinjiang region. Both the base and the stealth aircraft were viewed for the first time. According to analysis, while China is developing a new generation of secret air warfare systems against the US’s Pacific-based military encirclement strategy, it is also expanding its secret air base network in different parts of the country. China’s “flying wing” type stealth UAVs, J-XDS sixth generation fighter jet and GJ-11 Sharp Sword programs are among the most critical projects developed against Washington’s air superiority.
THE SECRET BASE WAS PHOTOGRAPHED
According to the analysis of US-based defense publication TWZ based on Planet Labs satellite images Two giant “flying wing” type stealth unmanned aerial vehicles were spotted at the same time at Malan Air Base in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. In the images dated March 26, 2026, it was seen that the giant platform called “WZ-X” with a wingspan of approximately 173 feet (52 meters) was located at the edge of the runway, and the second high-tech design UAV was removed from the high security hangar area. According to TWZ analysis, the dimensions of these platforms approach the US B-2 Spirit strategic bombers.
SECRET CENTER IN XINJAN
According to The War Zone analysis Malan Air Base is used as the most critical unmanned combat aircraft testing center of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The base is located in the north of the Taklamakan Desert, close to the Lop Nur nuclear test site. Satellite images showed dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles and Xi’an Y-20 strategic transport aircraft deployed at the same time. According to TWZ, the base is not only for UAV tests; It is also used for electronic warfare, artificial intelligence-supported swarm systems and manned-unmanned joint warfare concepts. In the analysis article, it was stated that the stealth UAV named GJ-11 Sharp Sword was also tested in the TWZ analysis at the same base. According to analysis, Beijing is investing heavily in low-visibility long-range systems to counter the US aircraft carrier power in the Pacific.
SPREADING BASE NETWORK
In TWZ’s analysis Images claimed to belong to the tailless sixth-generation fighter aircraft called “J-XDS” or “J-50” at the base were also published. It was stated that the platform, which was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, has a guided thrust system, low radar signature and artificial intelligence-supported battle management features. The analysis emphasized that the aircraft was developed as a direct competitor to the US NGAD program. It is also known that China is also working on stealth hypersonic and unmanned aerial platforms at the Mianyang Aviation Complex in Sichuan province, Dingxin Test and Training Base in Gansu and some air facilities in Inner Mongolia.
US-CHINA AIR COMPETITION IS DEEPENING
According to TWZ analysis Giant flying wing platforms developed by China; It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare and long-range attack missions. In particular, it is stated that “GJ-X” is one of the largest stealth unmanned aerial vehicles in the world with its 42 meter wingspan. The analysis also emphasizes that China’s rapid progress in this field stands in striking contrast to the absence of similar publicly available projects in the United States for a long time.
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