Chinese UCAV/CCA/Loyal Wingman (sensor, A2A and A2G) thread

[lcloo]

Rumour seem to spread fast that the mothership drone, Jiu Tian, that first appeared in the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, will have its maiden flight soon, either during end of May or in June. Let's hope the rumour is true.

Jiu Tian is a new Chinese drone carrier that can release up to 100 smaller drones at a time could take to the skies for a test flight within days, state broadcaster CCTV has said.

Jiu Tian is said to have 6 tons payload capability and range of 7,000 KM. It has a modular payload cabin.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Rumour seem to spread fast that the mothership drone, Jiu Tian, that first appeared in the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, will have its maiden flight soon, either during end of May or in June. Let's hope the rumour is true.

Jiu Tian is a new Chinese drone carrier that can release up to 100 smaller drones at a time could take to the skies for a test flight within days, state broadcaster CCTV has said.

Jiu Tian is said to have 6 tons payload capability and range of 7,000 KM. It has a modular payload cabin.

Survivability of such drones is low. PLAAF will invest in stealth drones for the high end assets. I think Jiu Tian is slated for export.

 

[tankphobia]

Survivability of such drones is low. PLAAF will invest in stealth drones for the high end assets. I think Jiu Tian is slated for export.

Even for export, what enemy will the customer be fighting that they have need of a drone swarm and also at the same time do not have air defenses to shoot down a non stealthy large UAV?

 

[Matrixdet]

With the ability to deploy so many UAV in a single mission, this aircraft should have a wide range of applications, from anti-tank operations to destroying enemy troops. I believe the PLA would be interested in it.

 

[lcloo]

If Jiu Tian can be navalised for aircraft carrier operation (both catapult and ski jump), its 7,000km range and modular payload design can be very useful. It can be a COD drone, medical evacuation from aircraft carrier to shore, long endurance anti-submarine patrol, tanker drone, ECM drone and whatever that can be loaded and dispensed from its modular cargo cabin.

As cargo drone, any equipment of less than 6 tons (including aircraft engine and parts), and urgently needed onboard, can be resupplied by Jiu Tian from a land base from Mainland or islands.

I think they should navalise this drone, it can be the drone equivalent of C-2 Greyhound.

 

[Tomboy]

If Jiu Tian can be navalised for aircraft carrier operation (both catapult and ski jump), its 7,000km range and modular payload design can be very useful. It can be a COD drone, medical evacuation from aircraft carrier to shore, long endurance anti-submarine patrol, tanker drone, ECM drone and whatever that can be loaded and dispensed from its modular cargo cabin.

As cargo drone, any equipment of less than 6 tons (including aircraft engine and parts), and urgently needed onboard, can be resupplied by Jiu Tian from a land base from Mainland or islands.

I think they should navalise this drone, it can be the drone equivalent of C-2 Greyhound.

The biggest issue I foresee with this drone as a cargo aircraft is that the payload bay is rather small, doesn't seem to be able to handle outsized cargo such as spare jet engines etc maybe at best consumables/mail delivery. Plus, with KY-600 aircraft I don't see why they need a cargo drone. Shandong and Liaoning are small carriers anyway and IMO should stay within logistic range of the mainland anyways due to lacking AEW and ASW assets onboard. Type 003, 004 and her sister ships should be able to have KY-600 take off and land for resupplies. It does make better sense if navalized make it into an EW or ASW drone(Probably need major modification to fit a MAD and put some torpedos in the bay) as those don't really need too much human intervention to complete.