China’s Jiutian SS-UAV: A New Frontier in Military Aviation Set for Testing in 2025

China is gearing up for the inaugural test flight of its ambitious Jiutian SS-UAV drone carrier, slated for June 2025. Dubbed the “flying aircraft carrier,” this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) represents a potential game-changer in military aviation and warfare tactics, particularly in contentious areas like the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the Jiutian SS-UAV is designed to carry an impressive payload of up to 100 first-person view (FPV) drones, missiles, and reconnaissance UAVs, all managed by sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI). With a wingspan of 25 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tons, the Jiutian is poised to redefine aerial combat strategies.

The SCMP highlights the drone carrier’s innovative Isomerism Hive Module, which can deploy a swarm of over 100 drones for various missions, including reconnaissance, electronic warfare (EW), and precision strikes. Capable of operating at altitudes reaching 15 kilometers—beyond the range of legacy air defense systems like the Soviet-era Buk-M1 SAM—the Jiutian features eight external hardpoints that accommodate guided munitions weighing up to 1,000 kg, as well as air-to-air, air-to-ground, and anti-ship missiles, including the KD-88, which boasts a range of 200 kilometers.

The Jiutian is not just about firepower; it offers a significant operational range of up to 7,000 kilometers and speeds nearing 700 km/h, with autonomous flight capabilities lasting over 12 hours, and in some reports, up to 36 hours. Its advanced technology includes quantum-encrypted communications, a hydrogen engine, and radar-absorbing materials that enhance its stealth profile, making it resistant to electromagnetic interference and difficult to detect.

Military analysts have drawn comparisons between the Jiutian SS-UAV and American drones like the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper, emphasizing its multifaceted utility in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions while maintaining a safe distance from many air defense systems. Experts remarked that the Jiutian can operate “beyond the range of almost all air defense systems,” though it is not invulnerable to modern technologies like the Patriot PAC-3, THAAD, or Aegis systems.

With an investment of 4 billion yuan (approximately $300 million) and four prototypes already in development as of April 2025, the Jiutian SS-UAV is on track to revolutionize military operations, marking a significant milestone in China’s defense capabilities.