Unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show last November, the Jiu Tian is causing a stir in military circles. The Chinese aren't shy about modesty: they're outright presenting it as the world's first "drone mothership." Developed by AVIC with its partners Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology and Haige Communications, the machine looks impressive on paper.
A Flying Swiss Army Knife
With its 25-meter wingspan and 16 tons at takeoff, this is clearly not a living room drone. It can climb up to 15,000 meters, high enough to evade many anti-aircraft systems, and stay in the air for 12 hours straight. The Chinese even talk about 36 hours of endurance in certain configurations.
The concept is pretty crazy when you think about it: the Jiu Tian can release a hundred mini-drones at once, like an exploding beehive. These little creatures are equipped with artificial intelligence and can work in teams to locate and attack targets. Official Chinese videos show the aircraft spitting out swarms of drones from its sides—quite spectacular…
As for the weapons, there's no question of showing off either. The craft can carry air-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, and even kamikaze drones. Eight attachment points under the wings plus a modular cargo bay: enough to adapt to any situation.
The system is entirely modular. Need to conduct maritime surveillance? No problem. Rescue mission? It's in the box. Cargo transport? Easy. Chinese engineers have aimed for versatility with their "Isomerism Hive" module, which allows the aircraft to be reconfigured as needed.
The Chinese media are getting a bit carried away talking about a revolutionary "force multiplier." It's true that flying at 15,000 meters is useful for avoiding old anti-aircraft systems. But modern defenses are there. The American THAAD can strike at altitudes of up to 150 kilometers, and the Patriot PAC-3, not to mention Japanese, South Korean, or Taiwanese systems, can easily reach this altitude.
The Jiu Tian's offensive capabilities must therefore be put into perspective. The drone-carrying drone may be able to show off over poorly protected areas, but venturing near well-defended airspace is a different story. First, the defenses will have to be neutralized or other systems will have to be deployed in force.
Beyond military use, the Jiu Tian could be used for civilian missions: emergency deliveries, border surveillance, and disaster recovery. There is even talk of deploying it from future Chinese amphibious ships to extend the reach of naval operations.
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