Latest news with #JiuTun
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
China boasts about 'drone mothership' but gets ridiculed over design flaw
The Jiu Tun mothership, which can fly for more than 12 hours, was first paraded at China's largest aviation event back in November and is expected to take to the skies next month China has released a chilling new " drone mothership" that can deploy more than 100 drones and missiles - but its design has been ridiculed by experts. The weapons aircraft can fly for a staggering 12 hours, has an 82-foot wingspan, and can launch 100 kamikaze UAVs in seconds. Beijing revealed the drone mothership is currently undergoing its final installation and testing after the fourth prototype had just completed its structural assembly. Dubbed Ji Tun, meaning Sky High, the aircraft is expected to take to the skies next month as Beijing looks to increase air defences. Despite being first paraded at China's largest aviation event back in November, its latest version has been ridiculed over its many design flaws. Although the aircraft can carry up to six tonnes of ammunition, surveillance technology, and boasts a staggering range of over 4,350 miles, experts believe it stands no chance against more advanced systems seen in the US, Europe, and other parts of Asia. 'I'm not a fighter pilot, but this is like trying to sneak into near-peer enemy airspace w/ a formation of KC-10s,' a retired US Air Force pilot wrote on X upon seeing the model for the Jiu Tian. 'It's not remotely survivable…a gigantic missile magnet. This is just classic propaganda' Another X user chimed in: 'The Jiutian SS-UAV is a giant prop piece for propaganda, nothing more. In any contested airspace[,] especially one guarded by an Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), this thing wouldn't make it past the outer ring.' A third person wrote: 'OK got it Big, Slow, and not Stealthy.' It comes as Donald Trump revealed a Golden Dome missile defence program that will put US weapons in space for the first time. Trump said the system, which costs an eye-watering $175billion, will be 'fully operational before the end of my term,' which ends in 2029, and have the capability of intercepting missiles 'even if they are launched from space.' Trump, seated next to a poster showing the continental US painted gold and with artistic depictions of missile interceptions, also announced that Gen. Michael Guetlein, who currently serves as the vice chief of space operations, will be responsible for overseeing Golden Dome's progress. Golden Dome is envisioned to include ground and space-based capabilities that are able to detect and stop missiles at all four major stages of a potential attack: detecting and destroying them before a launch, intercepting them in their earliest stage of flight, stopping them midcourse in the air, or halting them in the final minutes as they descend toward a target. The Congressional Budget Office estimated this month that just the space-based components of the Golden Dome could cost as much as $542 billion over the next 20 years. Trump has requested an initial $25 billion for the program in his proposed tax break bill now moving through Congress.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
China's drone mothership represents leap in unmanned aerial warfare
China has unveiled a chilling new weapons aircraft in its rapidly expanding aerial arsenal - a fearsome drone-launching mothership capable of releasing 100 kamikaze UAV's in seconds. Dubbed the Jiu Tun, meaning Sky High, the huge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) boasts an 82ft wingspan and can fly for 12 hours, more than enough time to wreak havoc in Taiwan , Japan , or even US bases in the Pacific. State media reported over the weekend that the fourth prototype of the high-tech UAV had just completed structural assembly and was now undergoing final installation and testing. It is set to take to the skies for its maiden flight next month, as part of Beijing's aggressive push to beef up its air force in a move likely to raise eyebrows in Washington and rattle nerves across Asia. Developed by Shaanix Unmanned Equipment Technology, the Jiu Tun was first paraded at China's largest aviation event - the Zhuhai Air Show - back in November. But its latest version is far more formidable, insiders have claimed. The cutting-edge craft can carry up to six tonnes of equipment, including ammunition to surveillance technology, and has an astonishing range of over 4,350miles. But its the Jiu Tun's ability to unleash a swarm of drones that truly sets it apart. Footage released by Chinese state broadcasters shows the aircraft launching a flurry of kamikaze drones in what appears to be a simulation of a coordinated strike. Experts have warned that such swarm attacks would be nearly impossible to defend against, overwhelming enemy systems with sheer volume and speed. Defence analysts say the strategy could be a gamechanger in the event of an escalation over Taiwan, with drone swarms used to gather intelligence, jam communications, or even deliver precision strikes. But the Jiu Tun is not just a flying drone factory, it's also a deadly weapons platform capable of carrying cruise missiles and medium-range-to-air missiles like the PL-12E, further cementing its role as a multi-functional threat. Flying at high altitudes, the aircraft is designed to slip past radar systems and evade many ground-based defences, making it a stealthy predator in modern warfare. The unveiling comes as drone warfare takes centre stage on battlefields across the globe. In Ukraine, small first-person-view drones have reportedly caused 80 per cent of Russian casualties, according to US Congressman Pat Harrigan. China, eager to stay ahead, has poured resources into its drone development programme. Earlier this year, it test flew the TP1000, an unmanned transport drone capable of carrying over a tonne of cargo. Meanwhile, its WZ-7 and TB-001 Scorpion drones have already been spotted prowling the skies above the hotly contested South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Experts believe the Jiu Tun is China's answer to America's iconic RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper - but with a twist. Unlike their US counterparts, the Jiu Tun can launch swarm attacks, giving it a terrifying new edge in modern aerial warfare. It comes after it was revealed in March that China was set to boost its defence spending by 7.2 per cent after threatening America with 'any war' durin ga furious row over Donald Trump's tariffs. The communist state announced the huge military spending boost as global tensions soared with Beijing and Washington both declaring themselves ready for conflict. Tensions between the US and China rose to dizzying heights in recent months, with American president Donald Trump increasing tariffs on all Chinese products to 20 per cent over allegations China was fuelling a fentanyl crisis in the States. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (pictured) said at the time: 'Exerting extreme pressure on China is the wrong target and the wrong calculation … If the US has other intentions and insists on a tariff war, trade war or any other war, China will fight to the end. 'We advise the US to put away its bullying face and return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation as soon as possible.' The Chinese embassy in the US added: 'If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we're ready to fight till the end.' US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said in response that the US is 'prepared' to go to war with China, telling Fox: 'Those who long for peace must prepare for war. that's why we're rebuilding our military. 'If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong, and that president understands peace comes through strength,' Hegseth added. The question of who would win in an all-out war, however, remains unanswered.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
China's drone mothership: Weapons aircraft with 82ft wingspan can fly for 12 hours and 'launch 100 kamikaze UAVs in seconds'
China has unveiled a chilling new weapons aircraft in its rapidly expanding aerial arsenal - a fearsome drone-launching mothership capable of releasing 100 kamikaze UAV's in seconds. Dubbed the Jiu Tun, meaning Sky High, the huge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) boasts an 82ft wingspan and can fly for 12 hours, more than enough time to wreak havoc in Taiwan, Japan, or even US bases in the Pacific. State media reported over the weekend that the fourth prototype of the high-tech UAV had just completed structural assembly and was now undergoing final installation and testing. It is set to take to the skies for its maiden flight next month, as part of Beijing 's aggressive push to beef up its air force in a move likely to raise eyebrows in Washington and rattle nerves across Asia. Developed by Shaanix Unmanned Equipment Technology, the Jiu Tun was first paraded at China's largest aviation event - the Zhuhai Air Show - back in November. But its latest version is far more formidable, insiders have claimed. The cutting-edge craft can carry up to six tonnes of equipment, including ammunition to surveillance technology, and has an astonishing range of over 4,350miles. But its the Jiu Tun's ability to unleash a swarm of drones that truly sets it apart. Footage released by Chinese state broadcasters shows the aircraft launching a flurry of kamikaze drones in what appears to be a simulation of a coordinated strike. It is set to take to the skies for its maiden flight next month, as part of Beijing 's aggressive push to beef up its air force Footage released by Chinese state broadcasters shows the aircraft launching a flurry of kamikaze drones in what appears to be a simulation of a coordinated strike Experts have warned that such swarm attacks would be nearly impossible to defend against, overwhelming enemy systems with sheer volume and speed. Defence analysts say the strategy could be a gamechanger in the event of an escalation over Taiwan, with drone swarms used to gather intelligence, jam communications, or even deliver precision strikes. But the Jiu Tun is not just a flying drone factory, it's also a deadly weapons platform capable of carrying cruise missiles and medium-range-to-air missiles like the PL-12E, further cementing its role as a multi-functional threat. Flying at high altitudes, the aircraft is designed to slip past radar systems and evade many ground-based defences, making it a stealthy predator in modern warfare. The unveiling comes as drone warfare takes centre stage on battlefields across the globe. In Ukraine, small first-person-view drones have reportedly caused 80 per cent of Russian casualties, according to US Congressman Pat Harrigan. China, eager to stay ahead, has poured resources into its drone development programme. Earlier this year, it test flew the TP1000, an unmanned transport drone capable of carrying over a tonne of cargo. Meanwhile, its WZ-7 and TB-001 Scorpion drones have already been spotted prowling the skies above the hotly contested South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Experts believe the Jiu Tun is China's answer to America's iconic RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper - but with a twist. Unlike their US counterparts, the Jiu Tun can launch swarm attacks, giving it a terrifying new edge in modern aerial warfare. It comes after it was revealed in March that China was set to boost its defence spending by 7.2 per cent after threatening America with 'any war' durin ga furious row over Donald Trump's tariffs. The communist state announced the huge military spending boost as global tensions soared with Beijing and Washington both declaring themselves ready for conflict. Tensions between the US and China rose to dizzying heights in recent months, with American president Donald Trump increasing tariffs on all Chinese products to 20 per cent over allegations China was fuelling a fentanyl crisis in the States. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at the time: 'Exerting extreme pressure on China is the wrong target and the wrong calculation … If the US has other intentions and insists on a tariff war, trade war or any other war, China will fight to the end. 'We advise the US to put away its bullying face and return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation as soon as possible.' The Chinese embassy in the US added: 'If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we're ready to fight till the end.' US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said in response that the US is 'prepared' to go to war with China, telling Fox: 'Those who long for peace must prepare for war. that's why we're rebuilding our military. 'If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong, and that president understands peace comes through strength,' Hegseth added. The question of who would win in an all-out war, however, remains unanswered.
