© Getty Images A drone carrier has the ability to transport bombs, rockets, and numerous miniature UAVs intended for launch in a coordinated assault.
This Thursday, China carried out the initial flight of the Jiutian SS-UAV, deemed the largest unmanned aerial vehicle on the planet. After being showcased to the public in 2024 at the Zhuhai aviation expo, this novel UAV is now set for operational evaluations, after which it will be incorporated into the arsenal. Bloomberg reported on this information on December 11th.
The unmanned carrier is capable of transporting a load of up to six tons, featuring eight hardpoints for mounting guided munitions, air combat and naval strike missiles, suicide drones, and over a hundred small unmanned aerial vehicles, meant for launch in unison to overwhelm adversary aerial defenses.
This aircraft has drawn comparisons to a carrier owing to its capacity to transport numerous drones and missiles. “Jiutian” translates to “nine heavens,” a Chinese phrase signifying the highest reaches of the sky.
Nevertheless, specialists in weaponry suggest its sheer size might diminish its radar evasion capabilities in combat situations.
However, China is steadily making headway in the domain of unmanned systems, garnering recognition through platforms such as the pioneering next-generation landing vessels, considered the most substantial of their kind.
President Xi Jinping unveiled the most recent combat drones at a military demonstration in Beijing this September, which also highlighted China’s nuclear aspirations and broader endeavors to update its armed forces and challenge U.S. leadership. However, U.S. intelligence reveals that China is plagued by widespread corruption in the industry, jeopardizing Xi’s ambitions, the quality of arms, and the aptitude of units like the Rocket Force, which is in command of the country’s missiles and nuclear stockpile and would assume a critical function in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Unmanned aerial vehicles have risen to prominence in weapons development as Russia’s conflict against Ukraine has underscored their efficiency. Economical systems have the potential to annihilate considerably more valuable assets, encompassing tanks, vessels, and even other UAVs.
China’s efforts in drone technology hinge on a substantial manufacturing infrastructure, featuring thriving civilian enterprises such as DJI and Easy Fly Intelligent Technology (Wuhan) Co. Ltd.
The Jiutian SS-UAV (“Jiutian”) is produced by Xi’an Chida Aircraft Parts Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a state-affiliated defense corporation.
It is worth noting that China provides Ukraine with drone components at affordable rates. However, sources within the military-industrial sphere indicate that China is increasingly curtailing the exportation of drone components to Ukraine. Moreover, efforts by Ukrainian defense companies to procure Chinese electronic components via allied nations, notably the Baltic countries or Poland, are now encountering obstruction.
Beijing is intentionally diminishing supplies to “suffocate” Ukrainian drone manufacturing. Drones have evolved into a pivotal weapon in the battle against Russian forces. Ukrainian UAVs are targeting not only the enemy’s command posts and logistical centers, but also their energy framework.