China has officially unveiled the concept of the Jiutian, a new high-altitude reconnaissance and strike drone that promises to revolutionize aerial warfare with its ability to launch swarms of kamikaze drones from 15,000 meters altitude.
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The video released on official Telegram channels (@china3army and @bes_pilot) shows that, although the specifications of the internal bay had not been revealed previously, the teaser now suggests that Jiutian will be able to carry and launch more than 100 drones or small rockets, making it an offensive saturation platform.
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A multifunctional flying arsenal
With a range of up to 7,000 km, Jiutian will be deployed by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLA) after achieving air superiority. From there, the UAV can release a coordinated swarm of suicide drones to eliminate strategic targets on land and sea.
Main technical specifications:
- Wingspan: 25 meters
- Maximum takeoff weight: 16 tons
- Payload capacity: 6 tons
- Maximum speed: 700 km/h
- Flight endurance: over 12 hours
Additionally, Jiutian features eight external hardpoints for various weapons, including:
- Guided bombs up to 1,000 kg
- Air-to-air missiles
- Air-to-surface missiles
- Anti-ship missiles
- Cruise missiles
Its modular architecture allows for payload replacement in less than two hours, enabling rapid adaptation of the UAV for different types of missions.
Civil potential: firefighting
Although developed for military purposes, the concept also envisions civilian applications. A special module can be installed so that Jiutian can be used in combating forest fires, deploying fire retardants in hard-to-reach areas.
First flight expected in 2025
Jiutian’s first flight is scheduled to take place by the end of June 2025, marking the beginning of a new era in China’s aerial warfare doctrine based on swarm attacks and long-range capabilities.
Source and images: CCTV | Telegram @china3army | @bes_pilot | X @Defence_GDA. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
