China converts Cold War jet into combat drone

At the Changchun Air Show, China publicly displayed for the first time a J-6 fighter aircraft that has been converted into a drone, marking a rare appearance of the retrofitted Cold War-era jet in unmanned form.

“This aircraft is modified based on the J-6 fighter jet, with the removal of cannon weapon systems, external fuel tanks, and ejection seats,” Chinese sources said. “It is retrofitted with an automatic flight control system and autopilot, additional wing pylons, and a terrain-following navigation system.”

The updated version of the J-6 drone reportedly completed its maiden unmanned flight as early as 1995. Since then, the aircraft has been used in a variety of roles, including as a training target and a simulated threat platform.

The J-6, a Chinese license-built version of the Soviet MiG-19, was once the backbone of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Decades after being phased out of frontline service, Beijing appears to be repurposing the aircraft for unmanned operations.

According to the exhibition details, the J-6 drone can operate either as an attack aircraft or as a training target, supporting both simulated drills and live-fire exercises. It is reportedly used to help train fighter pilots as well as ground forces operating air defense artillery, radar-guided missile systems, and tracking sensors.

China maintains a large stockpile of retired but airworthy J-6 fighters. The decision to convert them into unmanned platforms could serve two purposes: preparing air defense crews through realistic training and overwhelming enemy air defenses with low-cost, expendable decoys.

While China has developed more advanced drone programs, including stealth-capable UAVs like the GJ-11 and WZ-8, the repurposing of older manned fighters suggests a layered approach to future air operations.

The adaptation of legacy systems into drones is not unique to China. The U.S. Air Force has long operated QF-16 and QF-4 aircraft as target drones, enabling realistic scenarios to test weapons and train operators. However, the scale and potential application of China’s J-6 conversion project may go beyond training.

The presence of the J-6 drone at the air show adds to growing speculation that China could be preparing massed drone tactics designed to overwhelm enemy air defense systems during a future conflict.