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China is preparing to deploy the largest drone carrier ever built, called the Jiu Tian, by the end of June. This massive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) weighs about 11 tons and can carry up to 100 smaller drones, totaling an additional 6 tons, flying up to 4,350 miles. Unveiled at China’s Zhuhai Air Show last November, the Jiu Tian is designed to launch coordinated swarms of drones, including kamikaze drones that can seek and destroy targets by crashing into them. This swarm capability could overwhelm existing air defense systems, as drone swarms can use AI and machine learning to navigate and adapt in combat. Experts see swarms as a rising threat because they are often cheaper and harder to defend against than traditional missile systems. However, some question how effective the large Jiu Tian carrier would be in contested battle zones, as its size could limit its survivability. Beyond military use, the Jiu Tian’s drones could also be used for disaster relief, emergency rescue, and resource monitoring, thanks to its flexible design. China’s military plans to begin operational testing of the Jiu Tian before the end of June, adding it to the growing UAV fleet of the People’s Liberation Army.