China has successfully conducted the maiden flight of Jiutian, its first heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), marking a major milestone in advanced aviation and transport technology. Unlike most drones, which weigh only a few kilograms, Jiutian has a takeoff weight of 16 tons. The drone is designed for both civilian and military missions and can carry smaller drones, deploy them mid-air, and monitor their operations. Jiutian can transport cargo weighing up to six tons, with its internal configuration adaptable to different mission requirements. Its potential civilian uses include equipm

China has successfully conducted the maiden flight of Jiutian, its first heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), marking a major milestone in advanced aviation and transport technology. Unlike most drones, which weigh only a few kilograms, Jiutian has a takeoff weight of 16 tons. The drone is designed for both civilian and military missions and can carry smaller drones, deploy them mid-air, and monitor their operations. Jiutian can transport cargo weighing up to six tons, with its internal configuration adaptable to different mission requirements. Its potential civilian uses include equipment transport, firefighting, meteorological monitoring, disaster response, and other emergency operations. Classified as a large unmanned military aircraft, Jiutian is also capable of carrying various missile systems for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. It features internal compartments designed to store and deploy different types of weapons. One of its most notable features is the ability to simultaneously release and control multiple smaller military drones from a dedicated bay. Analysts say this capability could significantly reshape modern warfare by enhancing coordinated drone operations. The drone completed its first flight on December 11, 2025, in Shaanxi Province, in northwestern China. Aviation experts noted that the successful test flight represents a significant advancement in China’s development of large, multi-purpose drones capable of commanding smaller unmanned systems in complex missions. Jiutian is built entirely with domestically developed Chinese technology, enabling it to carry heavy payloads, operate at varying speeds, and take off and land on relatively short runways. The aircraft measures 16.35 meters in length, with a 25-meter wingspan, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tons. When carrying a 6,000-kilogram payload, it can remain airborne for up to 12 hours and has a flight range of up to 7,000 kilometers. Jiutian was first publicly unveiled at Airshow China 2024, held in Zhuhai, where it drew significant attention from the global aviation community.

A little more informed. A little more connected.