China is preparing to conduct the first test flight of a new high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), designed to serve as an airborne launch platform for drone swarms. The aircraft, named Jiu Tian, is expected to begin flight testing by the end of June.
Developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and manufactured by Xi’an Chida Aircraft Parts Manufacturing, the drone carrier was first publicly displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024. The platform is described as a drone mothership capable of launching and recovering multiple smaller UAVs during flight, positioning it as a potential force multiplier in future aerial operations.
The Jiu Tian UAV has a wingspan of approximately 25 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tonnes. It is designed to operate at altitudes of up to 15,000 meters and can travel distances of up to 7,000 kilometers. The aircraft is configured to carry a payload of up to six tonnes, including loitering munitions and smaller drones that can be deployed from pods mounted on both sides of its fuselage.
The primary mission of the drone carrier is to support coordinated swarm tactics, with applications in surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes. Its high operating altitude is intended to place it above the range of many medium-tier air defense systems, potentially extending the operational reach of China’s unmanned aerial assets.
While Chinese authorities have promoted the development as an advancement in national defense technology, some international defense observers have questioned the platform’s survivability in contested environments. Points of concern include the aircraft’s large size and the absence of stealth features, which could affect its vulnerability to modern air defense systems.
Image: Screenshot CCTV 14
