Hey #AviationNerds 🚁, meet Jiutian – the Chinese mainland's giant UAV that just aced its maiden flight on December 11 in Pucheng, in the Chinese mainland's northwest Shaanxi Province! This heavyweight flyer is set to shake up civilian missions across the region. Here's the lowdown:
- Size & Capacity: 16.35m long, 25m wingspan with a 16t max takeoff weight and a 6t payload 🎒
- Endurance & Range: Flies up to 12 hours and covers a massive 7,000km 🌏
- Versatile Tech: High service ceiling, wide speed range, short takeoff/landing – perfect for rough runways ⚡
Designed for real-world action, Jiutian can haul heavy supplies, deliver essentials to remote mountain villages (hello, Himalayas 🏔️ and tropical isles 🌴), and support emergency rescues when weather's on the brink. Imagine relief teams dropping medical aid in minutes – now that's next-level tech!
What makes Jiutian stand out? Its advanced avionics and sturdy build let it adapt to diverse climates, from monsoon-soaked fields to desert plains. For young pros dreaming of careers in drone ops or logistics, Jiutian is proof that civilian UAVs are no longer sci-fi—they're here, and they're game-changers 🚀
Stay tuned as Jiutian gears up for its first commercial tests. Could this be the start of a new era in South and Southeast Asian air logistics? We're buzzing to see where it flies next! 🌟
Reference(s):
China's 'Jiutian' large drone debuts for diverse civilian missions
cgtn.com
