China has unveiled a powerful new unmanned aerial vehicle, named Jiu Tian (Nine Heavens), described as a “drone mothership” capable of deploying up to 100 smaller drones simultaneously. The cutting-edge aircraft is set to undergo its first test flight in the coming days, according to Chinese state media.
Developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China and manufactured by Xi’an Chida Aircraft Parts, the jet-powered drone aims to significantly bolster the aerial combat capacity of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by using drone swarms to overwhelm enemy air defenses.
Operating at extremely high altitudes, the Jiu Tian can carry up to six tonnes of ammunition and UAVs, with an impressive operational range of 7,000 kilometers. It is engineered for various missions including secure transport, border patrol, and emergency response.
Footage circulating on X (formerly Twitter) shows the drone releasing swarms of smaller UAVs from both sides of its fuselage, underscoring its strategic utility.
China has steadily increased its drone capabilities. Earlier this year, it introduced the TP1000—an unmanned cargo aircraft able to carry over a ton of goods. Additionally, China has deployed long-range drones such as the WZ-7 and the TB-001 Scorpion in areas like the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
Experts suggest that the Jiu Tian represents China’s bid to match and surpass the drone capabilities of the United States. Its unique swarm-launching feature could challenge American drones like the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper, which lack similar swarm-strike abilities.
