Reference News Network, July 1st. According to the "Nikkei Business Daily," the People's Liberation Army will conduct a test flight of a heavy drone in the near future. This drone can release small drones and missiles in the air. Chinese official media reported in May this year that the "Jiu Tian" "swarm mother ship" drone will make its first flight at the end of June. The aircraft was developed by a company under AVIC, China's largest aircraft manufacturer, and was previously displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024.

The "Jiu Tian" has a wingspan of 25 meters, a maximum payload of 6 tons, and eight weapon hardpoints.

Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post" analyzed that the "Jiu Tian" can carry up to 100 small drones and launch them in the air. Its range is 7,000 kilometers and it can perform reconnaissance missions for up to 12 hours.

The "Jiu Tian" can control numerous AI drones and directly conduct "swarm attacks" on enemy aircraft.

The Chinese military places great importance on developing drones to deal with regional emergencies or conflicts with the US military in the South China Sea.

They have the "Feihong-97A", which has high stealth capabilities and can operate in conjunction with manned fighter jets; the "Yilong-3", which has a range of more than 10,000 kilometers and an operational radius reaching the US military base on Guam; and the "Wuzhen-8" reconnaissance aircraft equipped with a rocket engine, capable of flying at twice the speed of sound at about 20,000 meters altitude.

Drones have become the main combat equipment in modern warfare. They are not only low-cost but also avoid soldiers directly engaging enemies, making it easier to ensure personal safety.

Japan will also face the threat of drones. The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces have confirmed that 30 drone sorties were detected near Japan in the 2024 fiscal year. The previous highest record was 10 sorties in the 2022 fiscal year. The Air Self-Defense Force has had to urgently scramble fighter jets to respond to foreign aircraft approaching Japan, regardless of whether these aircraft are manned or unmanned. According to a senior official from the Self-Defense Forces, two fighter jets are usually dispatched each time, and sometimes more planes may be sent depending on the route of the foreign aircraft.

Aircraft from countries such as Russia also frequently fly near Japan. Given that the more drones fly near Japan, the heavier the burden on the Self-Defense Forces' vigilance and surveillance will be, the Air Self-Defense Force may be overwhelmed dealing with drones, leaving little attention for more important manned aircraft.

(Translated by Liu Lin)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522010048659210815/

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