Story perspectives

China Achieves Historic Autonomous Aerial Refueling Test

12/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

Northwestern Polytechnical University in China conducted the country's first autonomous aerial refuelling test, using two unmanned aerial vehicles as a tanker and receiver, with the receiver docking via a vision-based navigation system during high-speed formation flights.
The test links to China's Jiu Tian drone program, capable of carrying over 200 munitions.
With a 7,000-km range, in-flight refuelling could extend its strike radius to major East Coast cities in the United States.

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Story summary

Northwestern Polytechnical University in China conducted the country's first autonomous aerial refuelling test, using two unmanned aerial vehicles as a tanker and receiver, with the receiver docking via a vision-based navigation system during high-speed formation flights.
The test links to China's Jiu Tian drone program, capable of carrying over 200 munitions.
With a 7,000-km range, in-flight refuelling could extend its strike radius to major East Coast cities in the United States.