Hot Take: Drone mothership, stealth 'Eagle Eye,' combat flying wing – China's UAV enters new boom

China has unveiled a series of high-profile military drones in less than a month, drawing renewed attention to the rapid advancement of its unmanned aviation program.

Among them is the GJ-11, China's first combat drone, which appeared in a People's Liberation Army Air Force anniversary film. Also featured is the giant "Jiutian" or "Ninth Heaven" drone, designed as a large unmanned aerial vehicle "mothership," as well as the CH-7, also known as the "Rainbow-7," a high-altitude stealth reconnaissance drone nicknamed "Eagle Eye."

The newly showcased aircraft underscore key trends in China's drone development, including extended operational range, improved stealth, and more flexible strike and surveillance capabilities.

(Cover image by Yin Yating)