This UAV has a wingspan of 25 meters and can take off with a maximum weight of 16 tons, while its payload capacity is up to six tons. "Jiutian" is designed to launch more than a hundred drones or small-sized missiles. Its maximum flight range reaches 7,000 kilometers, and its ceiling is 15,000 meters.
Thanks to its modular design and the ability to quickly change equipment containers, this drone is expected to be used not only for military purposes. Among its proposed applications are cargo transportation and logistics in hard-to-access regions, restoring communication and delivering rescue equipment in emergencies, as well as mapping, analyzing the consequences of natural disasters, and geological exploration.
"Jiutian" was first showcased at the Airshow China in Zhuhai in 2024, where its military capabilities were highlighted. The developer of this drone is the state corporation AVIC, which specializes in aerospace and defense technologies.
Chinese authorities view the development of heavy and autonomous aviation platforms as a key direction for the modernization of both military and civilian sectors. Although AVIC has not yet announced the timeline for the operational deployment of "Jiutian," state media characterized its first flight as a "significant breakthrough" in the creation of large UAVs of the new generation.
