In the modern combat system, the role of drones is becoming increasingly prominent. Let’s pay attention to the latest progress of the “Jiutian” drone independently developed by our country. It is understood that the No. 04 aircraft of the “Jiutian” drone has currently completed the assembly of the aircraft structure and is undergoing system installation and testing. It is expected to complete the maiden flight mission of the drone by the end of June this year.

At the 15th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2024, the “Jiutian” strike and reconnaissance integrated drone born in Xi’an attracted much attention when it made its debut for the first time. This drone has a wingspan of 25 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tons, and a maximum payload of 6 tons. The power system of the “Jiutian” drone uses a turbofan engine, with a maximum flight altitude of up to 15,000 meters and a maximum flight speed of up to 700 kilometers per hour. The endurance of the “Jiutian” drone is also very excellent, with a maximum range of 7,000 kilometers and a flight time of more than 12 hours. The payload capacity of the “Jiutian” drone is also remarkable. Its 8 external suspension points can carry 1,000-kilogram guided bombs, as well as air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, anti-ship missiles, and loitering munitions. Military experts said that more importantly, if equipped with a relatively advanced electronic warfare pod, it can suppress the opponent’s radar and interfere with it, improving its own survival ability. If it can be equipped with a directional infrared jamming system, by using a laser beam to interfere with the opponent’s infrared-guided missiles, its survival ability can be greatly improved. The payload capacity of the “Jiutian” allows it to carry diversified weapons, which can not only improve its penetration and strike capabilities but also enhance its own survival ability.

The “Jiutian” drone adopts an open architecture and is equipped with a quickly replaceable mission pod. By replacing different modular mission payloads, it can quickly switch the mission type within two hours to meet the mission requirements of airlift and airdrop, information support and confrontation, firepower strike and support, etc., and can be used in military and civilian fields such as system combat, transportation support, and emergency rescue.

Another highlight of the “Jiutian” drone is the integration of a mysterious “heterogeneous honeycomb mission pod” in the belly of the aircraft. This mission pod can accommodate hundreds of loitering munitions or small drones, so the “Jiutian” drone is also known as the “aerial drone aircraft carrier”.

The “Jiutian” drone can also serve as a communication relay platform for such small drones. Controlled by the personnel in the rear, it adopts the “man-in-the-loop” control method, which is more conducive to the attack and reconnaissance missions of these micro and small loitering munition drones.

(Source: CCTV.com)