China’s drone mothership has taken flight — and what it can do is terrifying

China’s drone mothership

A new chapter in modern warfare may be opening with China’s drone carrier, a platform that could become the central actor in large-scale robotic combat. In Beijing, it was officially announced that the AVIC Jiutian, a massive unmanned aircraft developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has successfully completed its first flight.

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The rapid proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has transformed modern warfare, with drones becoming a dominant force in reconnaissance, surveillance, and direct strikes.

Development of combat drones in the US region

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper deployed to Europe taxis at Câmpia Turzii Air Base in Romania (May 2024). The Reaper – originally designed for Middle East operations – has been adapted for use in Europe and Asia, where it provides vital ISR coverage for NATO and U.S. forces. The U.S. has forward-based MQ-9s in several allied countries, strengthening collective security and demonstrating the reach of American unmanned airpower​

The development of combat drones represents one of the most significant technological and strategic shifts in modern military doctrine. Over the past decade, Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) have evolved from auxiliary intelligence-gathering tools into central components of offensive and defensive operations. In the United States, this transformation is driven by a combination of geopolitical imperatives, advancements in artificial intelligence, and increasing demands for operational efficiency and force protection.