Latest news with #JiuTian
New York Post
25-06-2025
- Science
- New York Post
China unveils eerie mosquito-sized drone designed for stealth military operations
Buzzing into enemy territory. China unveiled a mosquito-sized drone designed for covert military operations and espionage — a development that's raising alarms over the potential consequence of the tech falling into the wrong hands. The miniature device, featuring two leaf-like wings, a black vertical body, and three hair-thin legs, was engineered to mimic the blood-sucking insect by scientists at the National University of Defense Technology in China's Hunan province. 4 The miniature device has two leaf-like wings, a black vertical body, and three hair-thin legs. China NUDT 'Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot,' said Liang Hexiang, an NUDT student who was holding the tiny drone between his fingers in a video shared by state media last weekend. 'Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield.' He said the hair-raising device is capable of carrying out a wide range of military and civilian missions. The nano-winged drone is equipped with ultra -miniature cameras and microphones to capture images, sounds, and electronic signals — with its tiny size rendering it nearly invisible to the naked eye and capable of flying past conventional radar system undetected. 4 The nano-winged device was designed to mimic the blood-sucking insect. China NUDT Despite the technological leap, experts warned of the serious security risks the drone could pose. 'If China is able to produce mosquito-sized drones, it would likely be interested in using them for various intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks, especially in places that larger drones struggle to access, such as indoor areas,' Georgetown research fellow Sam Bresnick told The Telegraph. 'These drones could be used to track individuals or listen in on conversations.' 4 Silhouetted figures saluting in front of a Chinese flag. REUTERS Timothy Heath, a senior defense researcher, cautioned that the micro-drone could be exploited by criminals seeking to steal personal information, including passwords, or infiltrate businesses. Heath, however, noted that the device's small size could restrict its operational range and endurance. 'To spy over a long period of time, someone would need to be willing to constantly cycle out microdrones, recharge them, and redeploy them in additional to sifting through the collected data, all within range of the target person or business,' Heath told the outlet. 4 The Jiu Tian is allegedly capable of carrying around 100 drones that can be deployed at cruising altitude. @XH_Lee23/X 'This is why the drone is less useful for battlefields but more useful for special mission operations or espionage missions.' The creepy-crawly new drone emerged just over a month after China released renderings of an aerial mothership designed to launch more than 100 drones and approximately 2,200 pounds of missiles at cruising altitude. The Jiu Tan SS-UAV has a massive 82-foot wingspan and is designed to fly above many of the medium-range defense systems around the globe.
Mint
22-05-2025
- Mint
7,000 km range, capacity to carry 6 tonnes of ammunition: All about China's new drone 'mothership' Jiu Tian
China's cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), dubbed Jiu Tian or 'High Sky,' is preparing to embark on its first mission before the end of June, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing drone warfare capabilities,reported the South China Morning Post. As per the publication, State broadcaster CCTV confirmed the upcoming flight on Monday, which will initiate a series of operational tests before the aircraft is formally adopted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show in November, Jiu Tian has attracted considerable attention for its formidable specifications and potential to transform aerial operations, the report said. This high-altitude, long-range drone is designed to act as a 'mother ship,' capable of launching swarms of smaller drones and loitering munitions mid-air, significantly enhancing China's combat reach and strategic versatility. With a wingspan of 25 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 16 tonnes, the jet-powered UAV can ascend to 15,000 metres (approximately 50,000 feet) and boasts an operational range of 7,000 kilometres, highlights the report. It can carry up to six tonnes of payload, including up to 100 kamikaze drones or loitering munitions, deployed from dual bays on either side of its fuselage. This enables coordinated swarm attacks and allows the UAV to bypass traditional air defence systems. Reportedly, equipped with eight hardpoints, the aircraft can support a variety of payloads suited to missions ranging from surveillance and reconnaissance to electronic warfare. The modular construction of the payload bay also allows for use in civilian and non-combat roles such as border control, maritime surveillance, emergency rescue, and environmental monitoring. As per the report, the Jiu Tian was developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and manufactured by Xian Chida Aircraft Parts Manufacturing, under the umbrella of Guangzhou Haige Communications. It adds another layer to China's expanding drone fleet, which already includes advanced models like the stealthy CH-7 and the anti-submarine Wing Loong-X. Reportedly, military analysts view the Jiu Tian as a potential rival to leading American UAVs such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper. While the Global Hawk operates at higher altitudes with advanced reconnaissance capabilities, it lacks strike functionality. The Reaper, meanwhile, is a multi-role drone but carries less than half the payload of the Jiu Tian.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
China to launch new drone 'mothership' Jiu Tian
China is preparing for the launch of drone carrier Jiu Tian. As per state media reports, this "drone mothership" is expected to take off for its first mission by the end of June. The June mission was confirmed by state broadcaster CCTV on Monday. As per media reports, the first mission flight will mark the start of a series of tests before the People's Liberation Army deploys the long-range unmanned aerial vehicle. As per a report by the South China Morning Post, Jiu Tian, which translates to 'high sky,' made its debut at China's premier Zhuhai air show in November 2024. It was developed by Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology. The drone mothership has a maximum range of 7,000km and an altitude of 15,000 metres. As per The Telegraph UK, the long-range UAV can carry a take-off weight of 16,000kg and has a transporting capacity of 6,000 kg, i.e., the vehicle can be used to carry supplies ranging from surveillance technology to ammunition. The most striking feature of this UAV, however, is its ability to launch large quantities of drones at once. Reports add that this "drone mothership" can launch around 100 kamikaze drones at the same time. As per a video released on Chinese state media, the aircraft will also be able to carry cruise missiles and medium-range air-to-air missiles such as the PL-12E. According to the manufacturers of the drone mothership, the Jiu Tian has a rapid reconfiguration system which allows it to change based on the mission - be it military strike operations, border defence, public security, maritime surveillance or emergency rescue. As China prepares to launch Jiu Tian, India has successfully tested its new counter-drone system called Bhargavastra. This test, which took place last week, came after escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched a series of drone attacks along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and the International border along northern and western sates. These drone attacks were foiled by the Indian air defence systems. After this, India test fired the new low-cost counter-drone system Bhargavastra from Odisha's Gopalpur.
News18
22-05-2025
- Science
- News18
Why China's ‘Mother Ship' Drone That Can Launch 100 Kamikaze UAVs Is A Worry? Explained
As militaries across the world try to dominate the skies, China has unleashed its unmanned aerial 'mother ship", capable of launching and coordinating over 100 drones in a single mission. Jiu Tian, China's drone carrier, will take off its first mission by the end of June, marking the beginning of a series of tests before the 'drone mother ship" UAV is deployed by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), as per Chinese media reports.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Taiwan invasion soon? China unveils drone 'mothership' Jiu Tian that can carry 100 attack drones
China is set to unveil the world's first drone 'mothership'—the Jiu Tian carrier—designed to launch up to 100 AI-guided kamikaze drones. With a range of 7,000 km and advanced swarm-launch capabilities, Jiu Tian could change the rules of aerial warfare. Unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show 2024, it mirrors and surpasses Western systems like the MQ-9 Reaper and the RQ-4 Global Hawk. As China escalates threats to Taiwan, this new technology signals a major shift in military power. Watch to learn how Jiu Tian could impact the Taiwan Strait and global security.
