China is preparing to use for the first time a “drone carrier” aircraft, equipped with the extraordinary capacity to launch up to 100 suicide drones at once. The new aircraft, called Jiu Tan (meaning “High Sky”), is a long-range unmanned aerial vehicle with a large carrying capacity.
According to Chinese state media, the fourth prototype of this aircraft has already completed structural assembly and is in the testing phase, writes A2 CNN. The first flight is scheduled for next month. Jiu Tan was developed by the company Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology and was first presented at the Zhuhai air show in November.
With a wingspan of 25 meters and a flight autonomy of 12 hours, this vehicle can travel up to 7,000 kilometers and transport up to 6 tons of cargo, from surveillance equipment to ammunition.
What makes this vehicle unique is its ability to launch dozens of drones simultaneously, creating an “air barrage” that is difficult to neutralize by traditional defense systems. In addition to drones, the Jiu Tan can also carry cruise missiles and medium-range air-to-air missiles.
The development of this aircraft comes at a time when drone warfare is changing the military balance in the world, especially after their intensive use in the war in Ukraine. Experts consider the Jiu Tan as a potential rival to the American RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft, which do not have the capability for such massive attacks.
This project once again highlights China's ambition to increase its air power and challenge American military dominance in its region and in the world.
(A2 Televizion)
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