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20h ago

China Confirms First Mission for Jiu Tian Drone Carrier by June End

State broadcaster CCTV announced the inaugural flight of the high-altitude, long-range UAV, marking a key step in PLA's unmanned warfare strategy.

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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 drone carrier, capable of deploying 100 loitering munitions or miniature drones, will conduct its first mission by the end of June 2025.
  • Developed by Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology and designed by AVIC, the UAV debuted at the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2024.
  • With a maximum range of 7,000 kilometers and an operational ceiling of 15,000 meters, the drone is designed to evade medium-range air defenses.
  • The maiden flight will initiate a series of operational tests before full deployment within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
  • Jiu Tian’s modular payload system supports both military roles, such as ISR and electronic warfare, and civilian applications like disaster relief and maritime patrol.