China to launch world’s first airborne drone swarm platform
China is set to test a new unmanned aircraft next year that can launch swarms of drones from high in the sky.
This has been described as a major step forward in aerial warfare technology.
The aircraft, called Jiutian SS-UAV, is designed to fly at very high altitudes and act as a flying base for smaller automated drones.
It is expected to have its first test flight in June 2025, according to Chinese state media.
Built by China’s AVIC group together with Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology and Haige Communications, the Jiutian was first shown to the public at the 15th Zhuhai Airshow.
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State media describe it as a breakthrough in unmanned systems, capable of carrying a large number of drones into the air and deploying them instantly during missions.
The drone has a wingspan of 25 metres and a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tonnes.
It can cruise at an altitude of around 15,000 metres for up to 36 hours, which could place it above many traditional air defence systems.
However, some experts point out that modern U.S. and allied defences, including systems like THAAD and Patriot PAC-3, may still be able to intercept it.
By April 2025, China had already completed its fourth prototype, just a year and a half after the project began. The Jiutian is fully built with Chinese-made parts and backed by more than 3 billion yuan in state funding.
The project reflects China's growing ambition to develop advanced military technology, especially in contested regions such as the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Analysts believe the drone could also reach as far as Guam, where U.S. forces are stationed.
Even though the Jiutian is built mainly for military use, officials say it could also help in emergencies such as disaster relief, border patrols, and search and rescue operations.
The flying drone carrier could eventually be launched from large Chinese Navy ships, adding new flexibility to China’s sea-based operations.
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