Latest news with #JiuTian
Mint
22-05-2025
- Mint
7,000 km range, capacity to carry 6 tonnes of ammunition: All about China's new drone 'mothership' Jiu Tian
China's cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), dubbed Jiu Tian or 'High Sky,' is preparing to embark on its first mission before the end of June, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing drone warfare capabilities,reported the South China Morning Post. As per the publication, State broadcaster CCTV confirmed the upcoming flight on Monday, which will initiate a series of operational tests before the aircraft is formally adopted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show in November, Jiu Tian has attracted considerable attention for its formidable specifications and potential to transform aerial operations, the report said. This high-altitude, long-range drone is designed to act as a 'mother ship,' capable of launching swarms of smaller drones and loitering munitions mid-air, significantly enhancing China's combat reach and strategic versatility. With a wingspan of 25 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 16 tonnes, the jet-powered UAV can ascend to 15,000 metres (approximately 50,000 feet) and boasts an operational range of 7,000 kilometres, highlights the report. It can carry up to six tonnes of payload, including up to 100 kamikaze drones or loitering munitions, deployed from dual bays on either side of its fuselage. This enables coordinated swarm attacks and allows the UAV to bypass traditional air defence systems. Reportedly, equipped with eight hardpoints, the aircraft can support a variety of payloads suited to missions ranging from surveillance and reconnaissance to electronic warfare. The modular construction of the payload bay also allows for use in civilian and non-combat roles such as border control, maritime surveillance, emergency rescue, and environmental monitoring. As per the report, the Jiu Tian was developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and manufactured by Xian Chida Aircraft Parts Manufacturing, under the umbrella of Guangzhou Haige Communications. It adds another layer to China's expanding drone fleet, which already includes advanced models like the stealthy CH-7 and the anti-submarine Wing Loong-X. Reportedly, military analysts view the Jiu Tian as a potential rival to leading American UAVs such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper. While the Global Hawk operates at higher altitudes with advanced reconnaissance capabilities, it lacks strike functionality. The Reaper, meanwhile, is a multi-role drone but carries less than half the payload of the Jiu Tian.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
China to launch new drone 'mothership' Jiu Tian
China is preparing for the launch of drone carrier Jiu Tian. As per state media reports, this "drone mothership" is expected to take off for its first mission by the end of June. The June mission was confirmed by state broadcaster CCTV on Monday. As per media reports, the first mission flight will mark the start of a series of tests before the People's Liberation Army deploys the long-range unmanned aerial vehicle. As per a report by the South China Morning Post, Jiu Tian, which translates to 'high sky,' made its debut at China's premier Zhuhai air show in November 2024. It was developed by Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology. The drone mothership has a maximum range of 7,000km and an altitude of 15,000 metres. As per The Telegraph UK, the long-range UAV can carry a take-off weight of 16,000kg and has a transporting capacity of 6,000 kg, i.e., the vehicle can be used to carry supplies ranging from surveillance technology to ammunition. The most striking feature of this UAV, however, is its ability to launch large quantities of drones at once. Reports add that this "drone mothership" can launch around 100 kamikaze drones at the same time. As per a video released on Chinese state media, the aircraft will also be able to carry cruise missiles and medium-range air-to-air missiles such as the PL-12E. According to the manufacturers of the drone mothership, the Jiu Tian has a rapid reconfiguration system which allows it to change based on the mission - be it military strike operations, border defence, public security, maritime surveillance or emergency rescue. As China prepares to launch Jiu Tian, India has successfully tested its new counter-drone system called Bhargavastra. This test, which took place last week, came after escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched a series of drone attacks along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and the International border along northern and western sates. These drone attacks were foiled by the Indian air defence systems. After this, India test fired the new low-cost counter-drone system Bhargavastra from Odisha's Gopalpur.
News18
22-05-2025
- Science
- News18
Why China's ‘Mother Ship' Drone That Can Launch 100 Kamikaze UAVs Is A Worry? Explained
As militaries across the world try to dominate the skies, China has unleashed its unmanned aerial 'mother ship", capable of launching and coordinating over 100 drones in a single mission. Jiu Tian, China's drone carrier, will take off its first mission by the end of June, marking the beginning of a series of tests before the 'drone mother ship" UAV is deployed by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), as per Chinese media reports.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Taiwan invasion soon? China unveils drone 'mothership' Jiu Tian that can carry 100 attack drones
China is set to unveil the world's first drone 'mothership'—the Jiu Tian carrier—designed to launch up to 100 AI-guided kamikaze drones. With a range of 7,000 km and advanced swarm-launch capabilities, Jiu Tian could change the rules of aerial warfare. Unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show 2024, it mirrors and surpasses Western systems like the MQ-9 Reaper and the RQ-4 Global Hawk. As China escalates threats to Taiwan, this new technology signals a major shift in military power. Watch to learn how Jiu Tian could impact the Taiwan Strait and global security.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Miami Herald
China Unveils Game-Changing First Drone ‘Mothership'
China's new drone "mothership" is set to take flight, according to the country's state broadcaster, which touted the aircraft as a game changer in drone warfare. Observers, however, have noted key vulnerabilities and said the behemoth, teased at China's flagship air show in November, amounts to "propaganda." Newsweek contacted the Pentagon for comment by email. The People's Liberation Army continues its rapid buildup, with an eye to supplanting the U.S. as the leading military power in the Asia-Pacific. Its warship count now exceeds the U.S. Navy's, and it possesses growing anti-access/area-denial capabilities, such as its vast missile fleet. China has also been investing heavily in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and swarm technologies in a bid to achieve air superiority in a wartime scenario-for instance, an invasion of Beijing-claimed Taiwan. Built by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the Jiu Tian drone has a wingspan of 82 feet and runs on a turbofan engine, China Central Television said in a Saturday broadcast. It has a maximum range of 4,350 miles and a 15-kilometer (9.3 miles) ceiling, and it can exceed 435 miles per hour. What sets the aircraft apart is its ability to launch smaller drones mid-flight from both sides of its fuselage. With a maximum payload of six tons, it can carry up to 100 small UAVs, including loitering drones-shown in a computer-animated promotional video pouring out of the plane like bees from a hive. In addition to swarm-launching, the drone can be armed with a mix of air-to-air, anti-ship and air-to-ground missiles, as well as 1,000-kilogram (about 2,200-pound) guided bombs. The Jiu Tian is also built for modularity. Its payloads can be swapped out in under two hours, depending on the mission-electronic warfare, strike and support, emergency rescue-making it suitable for a range of civilian and military roles. It can also serve as a communications relay for the smaller drones it launches, allowing remote operators to control them from behind the front lines using a man-in-the-loop system. That could let short-range drones operate well beyond their typical limits. Still, the drone carrier's size presents a tempting target for modern air defense systems, meaning it would likely need to rely on air suppression support. Additionally, even at its stated maximum altitude, the drone would be well within the range of several modern air-defense systems, including the U.S.'s THAAD and Patriot PAC-3, Taiwan's Sky Bow III, Japan's Aegis BMD, and South Korea's KM-SAM Block II. User @MCCCANM, a self-described former U.S. Air Force instructor with 30,000 followers, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "I'm not a fighter pilot, but this is like trying to sneak into near-peer enemy airspace with a formation of KC-10s [retired tanker and cargo aircraft]. It's not remotely survivable...a gigantic missile magnet. This is just classic propaganda." The "mothership" will conduct its first test flight at the end of June, CCTV reported. Related Articles New Microbe Discovered Aboard Chinese Space StationMap Shows US Command Ship in Pacific Amid China Navy ChallengeFirst Cracks Emerge in US-China Trade TruceFrontline US Aircraft Carrier Near China Prepares for Military Action 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
