(NewsNation) — China has launched the world’s first drone mothership, a 35,000-pound unmanned aircraft that can deploy more than 100 smaller drones.
Jiutian (“High Sky” in Chinese) is the name of China’s massive jet-powered aircraft, known as an unmanned aerial vehicle, that took its first flight in the Pucheng region of Shaanxi province on Dec. 11.
Having a drone mothership would allow China to boost its aerial military capabilities.
“A key mission for the design is expected to be acting as a mothership for swarms of smaller uncrewed aerial systems,” TWZ reported.
It could also take on a supportive role in other areas, like transporting heavy cargo or providing support during natural disasters.
The state-run Aviation Industry Corporation of China unveiled the drone mothership a year ago at the Zhuhai Airshow in late 2024.