The Jiu Tian, first showcased at the Zhuhai Air Show, marks a significant milestone in China’s UAV technology. The aircraft, with a maximum range of nearly 4,500 miles and a flight ceiling of 49,200 feet, stands as a testament to China’s ambition in extending its UAV operational capabilities. This drone carrier is designed for long-endurance missions across contested airspace, boasting an impressive maximum take-off weight of nearly 17.5 US tons and a wingspan of 82 feet.
A standout feature of the Jiu Tian is its internal bay system, capable of releasing up to 100 loitering munitions or miniature drones, including potential kamikaze-type UAVs. These drones are deployed symmetrically from dual bays, enabling distributed or saturation attacks on enemy defenses. The Jiu Tian’s primary combat function lies in enabling swarming tactics: coordinated deployment of networked drones to saturate, deceive, or disable adversary air defense systems. With its robust capabilities, the Jiu Tian is poised to revolutionize military strategy.
