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Jiu Tian drone carrier set to extend China’s UAV combat range

China is set to conduct the first test flight of the Jiu Tian unmanned drone carrier in late June 2025, showcasing the aircraft at Zhuhai Airshow 2024.
The development of Jiu Tian follows China's rapid military buildup and investment in UAV swarm technologies aimed at enhancing air superiority over the Indo-Pacific region.
Developed by a major Chinese state-owned aerospace firm, this drone carrier can transport up to 100 smaller UAVs with a total payload capacity of six tons, and is capable of executing roles such as strike missions, support operations, search and rescue, and acting as a communication relay.
Experts note its 15 km ceiling places it within range of modern air-defense systems like the U.S. THAAD and Patriot PAC-3, while some call it a "gigantic missile magnet" and question its survivability.
Jiu Tian's deployment could significantly extend China's combat reach through drone swarms but may depend on air defense suppression and highlights Beijing's goal to project power amid Taiwan tensions.

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Global Times

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Maritime version of China’s CH-5 drone makes first test flight

China recently conducted the first flight test of a maritime version of the domestically developed CH-5 drone, its developers said on Thursday.

7 hours ago·Beijing, China

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Le Figaro

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China Unveils an Unmanned Pilot-Free "Mother Ship" Capable of Launching up to 100 Drones in Swarms

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15 hours ago·Paris, France

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Daily Mirror

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China boasts about 'drone mothership' but gets ridiculed over design flaw - The Mirror

The Jiu Tun mothership, which can fly for more than 12 hours, was first paraded at China's largest aviation event back in November and is expected to take to the skies next month

21 hours ago·London, United Kingdom

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9News

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New Chinese 'mothership' drone expected to make test flight

China's military is ready to fly the world's first drone "mothership", which has the potential to revoluti...

1 day ago·Australia

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hna.de

+2 Reposted by 2 other sources

Center

Huge Drone Mothership: China's New Superweapon Is on the Verge of First Test Flight

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1 day ago

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slovenskenovice.si

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A New Era of Warfare: China Reveals an Unstoppable Aerial Threat (VIDEO and PHOTO)

The aircraft is designed to fly at high altitudes, evading radar and many ground defense systems – a true stealth predator for modern warfare, state media emphasize.

1 day ago·Ljubljana, Slovenia

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