China launched the maiden flight of a new type of large, multifunctional unmanned jet that can undertake both civilian and military tasks.

The Jiutian was designed by a State-owned aviation enterprise.   The drone is 16.4 meters long with a wingspan of 25 meters.   It has a maximum takeoff weight of 16 metric tons, a top carrying capacity of 6 tons, and a highest operational altitude of 15 kilometers.   The jet can fly 12 hours or 7,000 km in a single sortie.