A Stealth Flying Wing Jet Has Emerged At A Secretive Chinese Base – And It Is Massive

A recently discovered satellite image has shown the most advanced unmanned stealth plane in China to date, a huge flying-wing drone, parked at a very secretive military base in Malan, Xinjiang. This is the first visual confirmation of what may be a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) stealth drone, comparable in size and concept to the U.S. RQ-180, captured by Planet Labs on May 14, 2025.

The unknown airplane was seen in front of a newly constructed, high-security hangar facility with bays of different sizes, similar to American stealth facilities at Whiteman AFB or Plant 42. Its hangars, which are 70 meters wide, and long taxiways indicate that the facility is intended to test various next-gen aircraft, including the H-20 bomber and stealthy drones such as this one.

With a wingspan of approximately 52 meters, the aircraft is nearly the same size as the U.S. B-2, but it seems to be designed to be more endurance-oriented than strike. Its short wingtips, low sweep, and rounded center section suggest high-altitude performance. Although no cockpit or inlets are evident, potential vertical stabilizers, which are visible through faint shadows, may suggest design changes to improve flight stability.

Interestingly, this plane could be the same as or a variation of one that was allegedly spotted flying over the Philippines in 2021. It is not clear whether it is an operational prototype, a full-scale testbed, or a decoy. However, its location in the unadorned satellite view is questionable: was it a strategic unveil? The Chinese military is very conscious of satellite surveillance and could be indicating progress or creating confusion.

In any case, this is a significant advancement in Chinese unmanned stealth. The aircraft’s potential to operate deep over the Pacific could dramatically shift strategic balances. This is another sign that 2025 will be a revolutionary year in next-gen combat systems as China surges forward in airpower innovation.