China has revealed a new large unmanned aerial vehicle called “Jiu Tian”, designed to operate as a drone mothership capable of carrying and deploying up to 100 smaller drones while in flight. The system marks a significant leap in modern aerial warfare, shifting focus from single high-value platforms to coordinated swarm operations. Unlike conventional drones that act independently, Jiu Tian functions as an airborne command-and-launch hub. It can transport swarms deep into contested airspace and