China Unveils New Aircraft Capable of Deploying Hundreds of Drones Mid-Flight

China Unveils New Aircraft Capable of Deploying Hundreds of Drones Mid-Flight

ByFinancian Team
·2 min read

China Unveils Game-Changing First Drone 'Mothership'

China is preparing to launch its new high-altitude drone “mothership,” Jiu Tian, developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The aircraft, designed for swarm drone deployment, is scheduled for its maiden test flight by the end of June, according to China Central Television (CCTV).


Key Specs and Capabilities

The Jiu Tian features an 82-foot wingspan, runs on a turbofan engine, and can reach speeds over 435 mph, with a maximum range of 4,350 miles and an operational ceiling of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). Its most striking feature is its ability to launch drones mid-flight from both sides of its fuselage.

With a six-ton payload capacity, the UAV can deploy up to 100 small UAVs, including loitering drones, which were seen pouring from the aircraft in a promotional animation “like bees from a hive.” It can also carry air-to-air, anti-ship, air-to-ground missiles, and 2,200-pound guided bombs.

The drone is built for modularity, with the ability to swap payloads in under two hours, allowing it to fulfil strike, surveillance, or support missions—even emergency rescue. It can also function as a communications relay, extending the range of its deployed drones.


Tactical Advantages

The aircraft’s design gives China a strategic edge in modern drone warfare. It is seen as part of Beijing’s broader push to rival the U.S. in unmanned combat technologies.

However, analysts warn of key vulnerabilities. The large size and lack of stealth features make the Jiu Tian an easy target for modern air defense systems such as the U.S. THAAD and Patriot PAC-3, Taiwan's Sky Bow III, Japan's Aegis BMD, and South Korea's KM-SAM Block II.


Tom Shugart, founder of Archer Strategic Consulting, told Newsweek: "It’s an interesting concept... but in a high-end fight, it could be destroyed before it gets close enough to release those drones."

A popular user on X, a self-described former U.S. Air Force instructor with 30,000 followers, wrote on X: "I'm not a fighter pilot, but this is like trying to sneak into near-peer enemy airspace with a formation of KC-10s [retired tanker and cargo aircraft]. It's not remotely survivable...a gigantic missile magnet. This is just classic propaganda."