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2d ago

China's Jiu Tian Drone Mothership Nears First Test Flight

The high-altitude UAV, capable of launching 100 drones, completes prototype assembly and advances to testing ahead of its June debut.

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The Jiu Tian is a high-altitude, long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed as a force multiplier
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Overview

  • The Jiu Tian SS-UAV, developed by Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology, has completed structural assembly and is undergoing final installation and testing.
  • China's state broadcaster CCTV confirmed the drone mothership's inaugural test flight is scheduled for the end of June 2025.
  • Designed for high-altitude, long-endurance missions, Jiu Tian has a range of 7,000 km, a payload capacity of 6 tonnes, and can release up to 100 drones or loitering munitions for swarming attacks.
  • The UAV features modular capabilities with eight external hardpoints, enabling configurations for electronic warfare, ISR, and suppression missions.
  • Analysts view Jiu Tian as a key element in China's strategy to project power in contested regions, including the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, challenging U.S. unmanned systems.