The Chinese Jiutian heavy unmanned aerial vehicle has successfully completed its maiden flight in the northwestern province of Shaanxi.
Technical specifications include a wing length of 16.35 meters and a span of 25 meters. The drone has a maximum take-off weight of 16 tons, with a payload capacity of 6,000 kilograms. It is capable of autonomous operation for up to 12 hours and has a flight range of 7,000 kilometers.
The UAV is designed for critical applications such as precise delivery of heavy loads to remote regions, restoration of emergency communications, assistance during natural disasters, geographic surveying, disaster situation assessment, and mineral exploration.
First presented at Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, Jiutian is recognized as the world’s largest heavy-duty high-altitude drone. It was specifically engineered to enhance the combat effectiveness of swarm operations within the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA). The UAV features eight suspension points for guided bombs, air-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and attack drones. Additionally, its fuselage can accommodate more than 100 small drones designed to launch in coordinated efforts to suppress enemy air defenses.
In January 2025, China tested a secret hypersonic missile that may pose threats to American military aircraft.
