What Happened
Beijing Advances Toward Long-Range Uncrewed Aircraft Capability
China has successfully conducted the first flight of its large jet-powered unmanned aircraft, Jiutian, designed to carry and deploy dozens of smaller drones. The aircraft, which has a wingspan of about 82 feet and a maximum payload capacity of roughly 13,200 pounds, is part of China’s push toward long-range, networked uncrewed aircraft capability. According to Chinese state-linked reporting and defense media coverage, the flight took place in December 2025 from the Pucheng region of Shaanxi Province. The development of Jiutian suggests China’s efforts to advance its military modernization are now extending into heavier, more complex uncrewed platforms designed to act as force multipliers, as reported by AeroTime.