China’s New ‘Drone Mothership’ Set to Redefine Aerial Warfare

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China’s New ‘Drone Mothership’ Set to Redefine Aerial Warfare

 

China’s military ambitions in unmanned aerial combat are about to take a significant leap forward with the imminent test flight of a groundbreaking drone carrier known as Jiu Tian or “Nine Heavens.” According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the aircraft is expected to launch within days and marks a dramatic advancement in drone warfare capabilities for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

 

 

When fully operational, Jiu Tian will be capable of releasing massive swarms—up to 100 smaller drones simultaneously—designed to function collectively in a coordinated assault, overwhelming enemy air defense systems through sheer numbers and tactical synchronization. The concept mirrors a strategic shift seen increasingly in modern warfare: the use of AI-driven drone networks to saturate and disrupt conventional military defenses.

 

 

With a maximum range of 7,000 kilometers and the ability to carry up to six tonnes of payload including munitions and smaller UAVs, Jiu Tian is not just an aerial combat machine but a multipurpose asset. It’s expected to play roles in border defense, emergency rescue operations, and even high-security transport missions. These expanded functions make it a flexible platform suited for both peacetime and combat operations.

 

 

The drone carrier was developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and constructed by Xi’an Chida Aircraft Parts Manufacturing, companies at the forefront of China’s push to become a global leader in drone and aerospace technology.

 

The Jiu Tian project underscores China’s increasingly sophisticated and strategic use of unmanned systems in military operations. It also places the country in direct competition with leading U.S. drone technologies such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk and the MQ-9 Reaper. While the American drones have long dominated the field in intelligence gathering and precision strikes, China’s new mothership design indicates a shift toward swarm-based warfare and airborne drone deployment—tactics that could redefine the balance in airpower capabilities.

 

The development of Jiu Tian is also part of a broader modernization drive within the PLA, where technological advancements in AI, robotics, and unmanned systems are being integrated into doctrine and strategy. As drone warfare becomes more central to military planning globally, platforms like Jiu Tian may not only enhance China’s aerial reach but also signal a new era of multipurpose UAV capabilities with far-reaching implications.

 

While specific details on the internal systems and AI algorithms controlling the swarm behavior have not been disclosed, analysts suggest that the success of Jiu Tian’s upcoming test flight will be closely monitored by militaries around the world. Its ability to launch and coordinate a drone swarm in real-time could offer China a formidable tool in electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and potentially first-strike scenarios.

 

As China prepares for this key test flight, the world will be watching not just the technical success of Jiu Tian, but what it represents: the rise of a new breed of drone warfare that emphasizes scale, coordination, and unmanned dominance in future conflicts.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Euro News  2025-05-21

 

 

[Dionigi]

eggs, basket, anyone

[mfd101]

The Ukraine war is making much of 'modern' warfare outdated. Even Oz is now producing drones.

[NickyLouie]

2 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

 Even Oz is now producing drones.

 

to deliver hamburgers to all those phatties ?

 

[thesetat]

This type of weaponry should scare everyone. These drones can take out a single individual or thousands at a time. It really surprises me that the US has not already adopted this as their arsenal. 

[mfd101]

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

This type of weaponry should scare everyone. These drones can take out a single individual or thousands at a time. It really surprises me that the US has not already adopted this as their arsenal. 

I think I read somewhere the other day (but I'm getting old) that the US is doing exactly the same as the Chinese - large-scale use of drones from big platforms.

[thesetat]

3 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

I think I read somewhere the other day (but I'm getting old) that the US is doing exactly the same as the Chinese - large-scale use of drones from big platforms.

I hope so..... 

[BLMFem]

5 hours ago, thesetat said:

I hope so..... 

Maybe in the future, but for now Pete "OPSEC" Hegseth is laser focused on the most important challenges the DOD has ever faced; the books in military libraries.