China's giant Jiutian SS‑UAV drone nears crucial test flights
The Chinese Jiutian SS-UAV drone, presented by AVIC, will soon begin testing, reports the Ukrainian portal Defense Express.
The Chinese Jiutian SS-UAV drone, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is soon to take flight as part of tests before its introduction to the Chinese armed forces. The drone is expected to weigh approximately 15,000 kilograms with a wingspan reaching 25 metres. Inside, there is space for FPV drones, which are intended to conduct swarm strikes.
Advanced armament of Jiutian SS-UAV
The Jiutian SS-UAV was first showcased in November 2024 at the Airshow China exhibition in Zhuhai. The drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 15,000 kilograms, with 6,000 kilograms allocated for the payload. Its wingspan is 25 metres, and its length is 16 metres. The drone is equipped with eight hardpoints; six of these can be used for heavy weaponry and two for air-to-air missiles.
The Jiutian SS-UAV can be armed with KD-88 anti-ship missiles, boasting a range of up to 200 kilometres, and the Chinese version of the American AGM-154 JSOW bomb - LY-V501, which can reach a range of 130 kilometres when released from a high altitude. This enables the drone to operate beyond the medium-range air defence of the adversary.
Although the Jiutian SS-UAV is not capable of carrying a large number of kamikaze drones, as suggested by earlier visualisations (videos on the internet suggested space for even 100 Shaheds on board), it still provides significant support for the Chinese armed forces. Its capability to carry modern armament makes it a valuable tool on the contemporary battlefield.
