August 21, 2025

China is making waves with the FH-97 stealth drone, potentially the first of its kind combat-ready “loyal wingman” aircraft! According to the South China Morning Post, recent leaked photos from military parade rehearsals near Tiananmen Square show a covered aircraft with unique design features—likely the FH-97—hinting it is now active in China’s armed forces. This high-tech marvel was developed by a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (AVIC) and may officially make its grand debut during the big military parade on September 3. The parade marks 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II, making this surprise reveal even more historic. But what exactly is a “loyal wingman”? Imagine a smart, stealthy drone flying right beside a manned fighter jet, acting like a bodyguard, sensor, and ammunition carrier all rolled into one. These drones take on dangerous tasks, gather intel, and support pilots, reducing risks and ramping up combat power like never before. The FH-97 was first seen as a scale model at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2021 and caught the eyes of military experts worldwide. Chief designer Deng Shuai told the Global Times that the drone "acts as both a sensor and an ammunition depot, as well as an intelligent assistant for pilots." He said it earned its name because it operates “like an armed bodyguard” with human pilots, offering protection and boosting battlefield awareness. If China confirms the FH-97’s deployment, it zooms past rivals like the U.S. and Australia in launching a combat-ready loyal wingman drone. The U.S. is working on the XQ-58A Valkyrie, expected ready by 2029, and Australia is close to deploying Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone, which has already flown over 100 hours as recorded by August 2025. The FH-97 packs serious punch with its single-engine stealth design, AI smarts, and role in coordinated aerial warfare alongside manned jets. The recent parade rehearsal, which involved about 40,000 troops, highlighted China’s impressive push into unmanned systems and networked combat platforms. This game-changing drone showcases China’s fast-paced advances in integrating AI and autonomous tech into military power. It not only offers fresh tactics to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) but also signals China’s growing leadership in next-gen combat UAVs. Ready or not, the future of warbirds is evolving, and China is flying at the front of this new aerial revolution.

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Tags: Fh-97 stealth drone, Loyal wingman, China military technology, Unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Xq-58a valkyrie, Military parade,