China Shows Off Jet-Powered VTOL Drone That Could 'Turn Every Warship Into Aircraft Carrier'

Chinese aerospace engineers have unveiled what could be the world’s first high-speed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) jet-powered drone, a breakthrough that could allow every warship to operate as a mini aircraft carrier, SCMP has reported.

Developed over a decade at Beihang University, the drone combines rotary lift for vertical take-off with a miniature turbojet for high-speed cruise.

Unlike conventional drones that require runways or aircraft carriers, this design can launch from destroyers, frigates, or amphibious vessels, even in rough seas.

The aircraft features a teardrop-shaped fuselage and a patented retractable fairing system that encloses the idle rotors after take-off, reducing drag by up to 60 per cent, enabling efficient forward flight. Compact rotors provide lift during vertical ascent, while the wings sustain high-speed flight once airborne.

Advanced composites, including T-700-grade carbon fibre, ensure the airframe is lightweight, strong, and heat-resistant, capable of withstanding turbojet exhaust exceeding 700°C.

Flight tests of a 45kg prototype showed speeds of 230km/h (142mph) and smooth transitions between vertical and forward flight.

The drone was conceived specifically for the Chinese navy’s “non-carrier vessels,” which would allow them to conduct reconnaissance and strike operations from decks.

Experts note that deploying these drones in swarms could allow the Chinese navy to conduct persistent surveillance and precision strikes across vast oceanic areas, enhancing power projection in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Strategically, every major surface combatant could function as a forward-operating base, complicating adversary defence planning.

However, the design has trade-offs. The rotor system adds weight during cruise, while the turbojet remains inert during vertical flight, limiting payload and range compared with pure jet drones.

Analysts suggest the platform is best suited for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, or small-precision strikes rather than heavy ordnance deployment.

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