Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 03:01pm on 20 May 2025,Tuesday International
China is set to launch the Jiutian SS-UAV, a high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle capable of deploying up to 100 drones or loitering munitions, including kamikaze UAVs. Developed by AVIC, Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology, and Guangzhou Haige Communications, the Jiutian features a modular payload system for roles ranging from strike support to disaster response. Operating at 15,000 meters with a 7,000 km range and 36-hour endurance, it can perform ISR and electronic warfare missions. Comparable in size to the RQ-4 Global Hawk but with strike capabilities, it's viewed as a strategic asset for power projection across the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and up to Guam. While its altitude places it above many medium-range defense systems, experts note that systems like THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 could intercept it. China's $420 million investment underscores its strategic intent and industrial capability. (PC: NU & The Telegraph)
