Jiu Tian: China's New Airborne Drone Carrier

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Controversy accompanies the news of the grant of the former Italian aircraft carrier, Giuseppe Garibaldi, to Indonesia. One of its intended uses is to transport Bayraktar drones, as Indonesia does not have fighter aircraft capable of landing and taking off from the deck of the Garibaldi, reminding us of the actual drone aircraft carrier technology.

This technology comes from China in the form of Jiu Tian (Ninth Heaven), a large drone that acts as an aircraft carrier in the air, capable of carrying and releasing up to 100 small kamikaze drones simultaneously. A report from the U.S. Defense Information Analysis Center, cited by Popular Mechanics, states that the released drone swarm can be rapidly concentrated for attack missions or reconnaissance purposes.

Jiu Tian first appeared in public at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024 under the names Smart-configuration Support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SS-UAV) and Jetank. Several technology companies in Shaanxi and Guangzhou, along with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), reportedly developed the drone aircraft carrier together. Reports indicate that the development took 18 months and cost approximately US$500 million.

As of last April, four units had been produced, as reported by Chinese media, including CCTV and SCMP. The first flight took place in December of the same year.

With a wingspan of 25 meters, nearly the size of a Boeing 737, Jiu Tian is classified as an extra-large drone, similar to the U.S. Air Force's RQ-4 Global Hawk. Both are designed to fly at high altitudes, long distances, and for extended periods. According to reports, Jiu Tian weighs up to 11 tons, 1.5 times heavier than the RQ-4. However, its maximum altitude of 49,000 feet and maximum flight time of 12 hours are both lower than the RQ-4's capabilities.

The Jiu Tian is powered by a single jet engine. It has a maximum speed of 435 miles (700 kilometers) per hour and a maximum range of 4,350 miles while carrying a maximum payload of 6.6 tons. It is equipped with electro-optical antennas and infrared sensors on its nose, as well as a dome for a surface-scanning radar.

Its large hangar has doors on both sides, allowing for different mission modules, including cargo and reserve fuel modules. This design enables the large drone to be used for humanitarian missions.

Jiu Tian is equipped with eight pylons under its wings to support various heavy armaments, including guided bombs, supersonic anti-ship missiles, air-to-air missiles, and ballistic missiles. Its most interesting feature is the Isomerism Hive Module, the part that launches small drones.

Analysis suggests that deadly kamikaze FPV drones can be launched from there. This module can deploy different versions of quadcopter drones and fixed-wing UAVs.

Kamikaze drones equipped with FPV technology have proven to be lethal against both vehicles and personnel in the war in Ukraine. Each of these drones is equipped with a small camera, allowing a human operator to see from its position (first-person view).

Read: Indonesia to Acquire Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier from Italy Grant, Says Ministry Official

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