Shaanxi: China's Jetank drone, described as an 'airborne UAV carrier,' completed its first flight in central Shaanxi province.

According to Anadolu Agency, citing the People's Daily, the large drone can carry multiple smaller drones, marking a breakthrough in China's UAV technology, as noted by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The Jetank's deployment is expected to boost the low-altitude economy and foster innovation in the aviation industry. It features a modular design for various missions and boasts specifications such as being 16.35 meters long with a 25-meter wingspan, a 16-ton maximum takeoff weight, a 6,000 kg payload capacity, 12-hour endurance, and a 7,000 km range.

The drone is adaptable for civilian uses, including supply transport, disaster relief, communication restoration, and environmental surveys, as reported by the People's Daily. First revealed at Airshow China 2024, the Jetank also has military capabilities, with hardpoints for missiles and bombs, and can switch mission types in under two hours with modular payloads.

The UAV is equipped with a specialized isomerism-hive module that can carry loitering munitions or small drones, earning it the nickname 'airborne UAV carrier.'

Separately, China's first domestically developed 800-kg-class heavy-lift eVTOL aircraft, the AR-E800, completed its maiden flight in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the AR-E800 features a versatile cargo bay that can switch between internal and external transport modes, according to Global Times citing the Science and Technology Daily.

With a 300-kg payload capacity, it is designed for tasks like delivering equipment to high-altitude stations and operating in complex terrain to support supply and emergency deliveries.