Image Source: topwar.ru
After a relatively recent demonstration of the new Jiutian ultra-high-altitude UAV ("High Sky"), developed in the interests of the PLA and presented in November 2024, Chinese observers were quick to declare its "invulnerability" to US air defense systems.
The maximum take-off weight of Jiutian is 16 tons, the wingspan is 25 m, the flight altitude is 15 thousand m, the maximum speed is 700 km/h, the flight range is 7000 km. It is equipped with a high-thrust turbofan engine, 8 suspension units under the wing and an Isomerism Hive Module capable of launching smaller drones for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and delivering massive or distributed strikes. The radar visibility of the device is reduced due to the use of superconducting materials.
Image Source: topwar.ru
- said Zhao Dashuai.
The Western edition of Army Recognition tried to refute such statements, pointing out that systems with a maximum flight ceiling below 15 km, "such as the old Soviet air defense systems," would not be able to effectively resist the new Chinese device:
Image source: topwar.ru
These include the American THAAD system (performs interception at an altitude of up to 150 km), the Patriot PAC-3 air defense system and the South Korean KM-SAM Block II (have an operating ceiling of about 20 km). It is noted that the Japanese Aegis BMD destroyers and the Taiwanese Sky Bow III complex are also capable of hitting targets at high altitudes.
- according to the Western press.
