SAEDNEWS: The JTank, a 16-meter-long heavy multi-role drone capable of carrying up to 6 tons of payload, has completed its first successful flight in Shaanxi. This drone can deploy drone swarms and carry out both military and civilian missions over distances of up to 7,000 kilometers.
According to the technology desk of Saed News, China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) has announced the successful first flight of its heavy, multi-purpose drone, named Jetank, in Shanxi Province. Chinese state media describe the drone as an “Airborne UAV Carrier,” highlighting the strategic significance of the project.
Official specifications indicate that Jetank measures 16.35 meters in length with a wingspan of 25 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tons—comparable to manned fighter jets or bomber aircraft in payload capacity. The drone can carry up to six tons of cargo and boasts a range of 7,000 kilometers with 12 hours of flight endurance, placing it among the world’s largest operational drones.
The “Isomer Hive” Enables Drone Swarm Attacks
Analysts are particularly intrigued by Jetank’s ability to deploy large swarms of drones mid-flight. This capability is enabled by an internal compartment designed as an “isomer hive,” capable of housing hundreds of small drones and loitering munitions.
China Central Television (CCTV) reports that in addition to carrying air-to-air missiles, anti-ship weapons, and 1,000-kilogram guided bombs (via eight hardpoints under its wings), Jetank can be configured with modules for electronic warfare and transport missions. This versatility positions it as a true multi-role drone.
Advancing China’s Low-Altitude Economy and Strategic Goals
AVIC presents Jetank as a modular, civilian-oriented platform developed under China’s “Low-Altitude Economy” initiative. Beyond military applications, it is intended for aerial services, disaster relief, mining exploration, and maritime law enforcement.
Wang Yanan, editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine in Beijing, describes Jetank as a “global-class drone carrier” due to its large payload and swarm deployment capabilities. Its successful flight signals China’s determination to modernize both its military and civilian sectors through autonomous heavy aviation technologies.
