It no longer takes a fleet of warships or squadrons of fighter jets to start
a war. Now, one aircraft—just one—can fly silently into enemy skies, open its
belly, and release a storm of machines that hunt, strike, and vanish without
warning. China’s flying giants can carpet a region with AI-guided drones in
minutes. America’s stealthy command systems can blind enemy radars and launch
kamikaze strikes without sending a single soldier. And Iran? They’ve turned old
fighter jets into suicide drone carriers that crash straight into their
targets. There’s even one that literally catches its drones back mid-air—like
it’s playing catch in the sky. A 26-meter robot sub silently releases drones
underwater—no crew, no lights, just sudden chaos. These aren’t your average
drones. These are drone motherships. These machines don’t just change
battles—they can cripple entire countries. You won’t hear them coming. But when
they arrive, they don’t knock. Just one drone mothership can bring an entire
country to its knees. These drone motherships don’t just win wars. They erase
maps. They destroy. Let’s dive into the 15 deadliest drone motherships the
world has ever seen.
15. Jiu Tian Drone Mothership (China)
China’s Jiu Tian Drone Mothership, known as the “Queen Bee” of drone
warfare, is a huge, fully autonomous flying machine that works like an airbase
in the sky. It’s the size of a truck with a 25-meter wingspan—much bigger than
most fighter jets. It can carry up to 6 tons of drones, missiles, and bombs,
and fly 7,000 km at heights of up to 15,000 meters. When it reaches enemy
airspace, its belly opens and releases dozens of smaller drones. These drones
can jam radars, strike targets, or even swarm enemy aircraft. Jiu Tian also
carries air-to-air and anti-ship missiles to defend itself and hit multiple
threats. The main goal of Jiu Tian is to destroy enemy air defenses so that
manned jets or other drones can follow safely. It matches China’s military plan
of using AI-led swarm attacks and unmanned control. It has been shown in
Chinese military expos, though experts are still unsure how effective it is in
real combat. Its exact cost is secret, but analysts believe a full unit with
its drone swarm could cost over $100 million.
14. Heron TP (Israel)
The Heron TP, also called Eitan, is Israel’s biggest drone
and one of the most respected globally. Nicknamed “The Desert Giant,”
it’s built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and has been used for
years in border defense, surveillance, and strike missions. With a massive wingspan
of 26 meters, it can stay in the air for 36 hours straight and cover
a range of 7,400 km—that’s more than the distance from Tel Aviv to
London and back. It can carry a 1-ton payload, meaning it’s large enough
to hold not just cameras and sensors but also precision-guided missiles and
smart bombs. But where it becomes a true “mothership” is its ability to
coordinate with multiple UAVs in the same mission, providing real-time
data and battlefield control. It acts like a flying control tower in the sky. Countries
like Germany, India, and France have either leased or licensed the Heron
TP due to its strong performance in real combat. It’s commonly used for border
patrols, long-range recon, and surgical strikes on hostile targets. In
future upgrades, it may fully control drone swarms—making it not just a
fighter, but a strategic commander in the sky. Heron TP with
ground systems and support is estimated to cost between
$35–45 million per unit.
13. Japan’s JASDF Combat Support UAVs
Japan may not often appear in drone war headlines, but it's quietly
developing some of the smartest combat drones in the world. Under the Japan
Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), the country is building combat support
UAVs that will act as flying command hubs for drone swarms during
missions. Still in the development phase, these UAVs are not just about
firepower—they’re about battlefield awareness. The role of these drones
will be to gather intelligence, issue commands, and coordinate
attacks between AI-controlled drone fleets. They are being designed to fly
ahead of manned aircraft, identify threats, and guide other drones into combat
positions. Japan’s focus is on smart warfare, especially in the Pacific
where threats from China and North Korea are growing. These UAVs will support
stealth aircraft like the F-35A and Japan’s own next-gen fighter,
giving pilots a clearer picture of the battle and reducing their workload. While
Japan keeps the exact specs quiet, insiders suggest these drones will be
equipped with AI mission planning, real-time data sharing, and high-security
communication systems—basically acting as airborne AI navigators
that lead robotic squads into war.
12. CATS Warrior (India)
India is developing something ambitious: a drone system called CATS
Warrior—part of the Combat Air Teaming System by HAL (Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited). This flying-wing stealth drone is built not just to
fight, but to command a mini army of drone’s mid-air. That’s why it’s
called “The Hive Commander.” The Warrior will carry 4 to 6 ALPHA-S drones
inside its belly, which it can deploy once airborne. These smaller drones will
handle risky tasks like deep-strike missions, jamming, or even suicide
attacks, while the main drone controls them from above. It has a wingspan
of around 12 meters, stealthy design for radar evasion, and space for precision-guided
bombs, sensors, and jamming pods. It’s expected to operate alongside
India’s HAL Tejas fighter jets and possibly even future stealth aircraft. What
sets CATS Warrior apart is India’s focus on autonomous teamwork—multiple
drones operating together without needing human pilots to tell them every move.
Once fully deployed, it could patrol borders, strike terrorist bases, or jam
enemy radar—all without putting a single pilot in danger. It’s India’s
first real attempt at an AI-led drone mothership, and it could change
how the country secures its skies.
11. Ghost Bat (Australia)
Australia’s most advanced drone program is the Ghost Bat,
previously known as the Loyal Wingman. Built by Boeing Australia,
this is a jet-powered stealth drone designed to fly alongside manned
fighter jets like the F-35 or F/A-18 and act as both a protector and
commander for smaller drones. With a wingspan of around 11 meters,
the Ghost Bat is compact, stealthy, and smart. It uses artificial
intelligence to make real-time decisions during missions—whether it’s
jamming enemy radar, scouting ahead, or acting as bait to draw fire away from
manned jets. What’s even more impressive is that it can be programmed to
control other drones around it, acting as a mini mothership within a larger
strike group. That’s why it’s called “Loyal Wingman”—it flies with human pilots
but can lead its own drone group if needed. This drone is already in
advanced testing with the Royal Australian Air Force and may become part of
joint missions with U.S. and UK forces in the Indo-Pacific. As tensions rise in
that region, the Ghost Bat could be the silent guardian keeping fighter
jets—and their pilots—out of harm’s way.
And If you found this
video interesting, don’t forget to watch our video on World's Most Powerful and Expensive Fighter
Jets (2025) ! on 4 Ever
Green channel. Now, let's get back
to our video!
10. Okhotnik-B (Russia)
Russia’s Okhotnik-B, meaning “Hunter-B,” is a stealth drone made
to fly side-by-side with the Su-57 stealth fighter. With its flying-wing
shape and radar-absorbing materials, this unmanned beast is
nicknamed the Russian Shadowhawk—because it quietly dominates the sky
without being seen. Its wingspan is 20 meters, nearly as large as the
Su-57 itself. It can fly at about 1,000 km/h, carry 2 tons of
missiles or smart bombs, and stay in the air for over 6 hours. It’s
packed with advanced radar, including an active phased-array system,
giving it eyes like a hawk even in bad weather or electronic warfare. But the
real power lies in its multi-role capability. It can carry out stealth
bombings, air-to-ground attacks, and even possibly air-to-air combat.
It’s also expected to command or relay missions to micro-drones, acting
as a silent battlefield general. Russia has tested the Okhotnik-B in joint
flights with Su-57s, showing how manned and unmanned fighters can work
together in complex missions. In a future where radar jamming and drone swarms
rule the sky, Okhotnik-B will likely be Russia’s frontline ghost weapon.
9. Bayraktar Kızılelma + TB3 Combo
(Turkey)
Turkey is stepping into advanced drone warfare with a powerful duo: the Bayraktar
Kızılelma and the TB3. While the Kızılelma is a jet-powered stealth
UCAV, the TB3 is its smaller, propeller-driven partner designed to fly from aircraft
carriers and command bases. Together, they form a smart attack
system where the bigger drone leads, and the smaller ones execute.
The TB3 is special because it can take off and land from short runways,
especially useful on ships like Turkey’s TCG Anadolu. It can carry smart
bombs and cameras, fly long distances, and perform precise attacks. The
Kızılelma, on the other hand, acts like a brain in the sky, guiding the
TB3s with AI and real-time updates. In battle, the Kızılelma can stay hidden,
using its radar-evading shape, while ordering TB3s to hit air defenses, radar
posts, or moving convoys. This means Turkey can now run full-scale air
operations without pilots and without full-sized runways. This
combo is being tested for naval warfare, especially in the Aegean and
Eastern Mediterranean regions, giving Turkey an edge in close-sea battles
and drone-based defense.
8. American Global Hawk (USA)
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is one of the most well-known spy drones
in the world. Built by Northrop Grumman, this massive UAV doesn’t carry
missiles—but it doesn’t need to. Its job is to see everything from above
and feed data to fighters, bombers, and drones below. With a wingspan of
over 39 meters, the Global Hawk can fly above 60,000 feet, which is
higher than commercial airliners. It stays in the air for up to 34 hours
and can watch entire regions using its radar and thermal cameras. It’s
not armed, but it’s the eyes and ears of the battlefield. What makes it a drone
mothership is its role in controlling other assets. The Global Hawk
sends target data to drones, satellites, and jets, making sure everyone knows
what’s happening in real-time. It’s been used in Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine,
and even monitoring North Korea. Although some variants are being phased
out, new ones with AI and networking upgrades are coming. The Global
Hawk shows that in war, who sees first, wins first—and it’s one of the
best eyes the U.S. has ever built.
7. MQ-9 Reaper (USA)
The MQ-9 Reaper, built by General Atomics, is one of the most famous
military drones ever made. It joined the U.S. Air Force in 2007 and changed how
wars are fought. It flies high, up to 15,000 meters, and can stay in the air
for 27 hours. With a 20-meter wingspan, it uses satellite links to send live
data and be controlled from far away. It was first made for spying but soon
became a powerful strike drone. It carries up to 1.7 tons of weapons, including
four Hellfire missiles and two 500-pound laser-guided bombs. Its sensors can
track and attack targets even in bad weather or at night. It’s been used in
wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen—and in major missions like the 2020
strike on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The Reaper also helps lead
multi-drone missions and supports ground troops. Many countries like the UK,
France, India, and Italy now use it too. One-unit costs around $30–$36 million.
Upgrades include longer range, new sensors, and even laser weapons. It’s still
a key part of U.S. air power.
6. EuroMALE RPAS
(Germany + EU)
The EuroMALE RPAS (European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted
Aircraft System) is Europe’s answer to relying on U.S. and Israeli drones. It’s
being built by Airbus (Germany), Dassault (France), and Leonardo (Italy). This
large UAV has a 26-meter wingspan and can carry around 2 tons. It’s designed
for both surveillance and light strike missions, making it useful in modern
warfare. Though still in testing as of 2024, it’s expected to be ready by 2025.
It will include radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, and satellite
communication. It can guide smaller drones and act as a command center in joint
missions—important for NATO operations. EuroMALE's goal is to give Europe its
own defense tools. It will be used for peacekeeping, counterterrorism, border
patrol, and even disaster response. Countries like Germany, France, Italy, and
Spain are leading the project. Others may join as production grows. Each
country will use it in their air forces to build a more united defense system.
The full system, including control stations and weapons, is expected to cost
€100–120 million (around $110–130 million USD).
Talking about Wars, don’t forget to watch our video on Major Fighter Jet and Defense System Losses
in Recent Wars. Now, let's get back to our video!
5. Neuron UCAV (France)
The Neuron UCAV—nicknamed “The Digital Ghost”—is Europe’s stealth drone project
led by France and developed by Dassault Aviation. Designed as a strike drone
with next-gen coordination abilities, Neuron represents Europe’s entry into the
future of AI-powered drone warfare. Unlike many drones that operate alone,
Neuron is being tested to fly in formation with other UAVs, sharing data and
mission objectives autonomously. It features a sleek, stealthy airframe with no
vertical stabilizers, helping it evades radar detection. Though its full specs
are classified, it’s known to carry precision-guided munitions internally and
use advanced sensors for both targeting and coordination. Early tests included
live weapon drops and stealth maneuvering. What sets Neuron apart is its
ongoing role in European swarm coordination trials. It’s part of a bigger push
toward collaborative combat systems, where drones communicate with each other
in real time without relying on human input. The program has involved Italy,
Sweden, Spain, Greece, and Switzerland—making it a truly multinational effort. Still
experimental, Neuron isn’t just a combat drone—it’s a stepping stone to the
kind of drone teams that will dominate skies in the next decade. France has
tested it alongside manned jets, showing how it can support pilots or take the
lead in autonomous missions.
4. HESA Karrar (Iran)
The HESA Karrar is one of Iran’s most unusual military drones. Made by HESA
and based on the old U.S. F-5 fighter, it was first shown in 2010. It’s not
fancy or high-tech, but fast, cheap, and built for swarm attacks. It flies up
to 1,000 km at 900 km/h and can carry 5 to 10 Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. Once
near enemy targets, it releases these drones to hit radars, air defenses, or
power plants. Sometimes, the Karrar crashes into the target itself like a
suicide drone. Iran uses the Karrar to overwhelm air defenses like Iron Dome or
Patriot systems by sending many drones at once. It’s part of Iran’s strategy of
using low-cost weapons to drain stronger enemies. In drills, Iran has shown the
Karrar launching dozens of drones at once to create confusion and damage. It
has GPS, auto-flight, and basic targeting, but no stealth. It’s simple, cheap,
and easy to mass-produce. Iran also tested it for anti-ship roles. Though only
used by Iran, its ideas have spread to groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Each unit costs around $500,000 to $1 million.
3. USAF Gremlins + C-130 Hercules (USA)
Imagine a cargo plane that can launch drones like missiles and then catch them
in mid-air—this is exactly what the Gremlins project aims to do. Led by DARPA
and supported by the U.S. Air Force, this program uses C-130 Hercules aircraft
as flying drone carriers that launch and recover X-61A Gremlin drones during
flight. These drones are small, fast, and designed for reuse—up to 20 times
each. After completing their mission, they are reeled back into the cargo plane
using a mechanical recovery arm. This mid-air retrieval reduces the need for
expensive, single-use drones and allows C-130s to act like flying drone
airports. Gremlins can carry payloads such as sensors, jammers, or explosives,
and can perform surveillance or offensive missions over enemy territory. The
program’s successful flight tests in 2020 and 2021 brought science fiction into
real-world military planning. This system allows the U.S. military to deploy
swarms of drones over vast distances, then recover them for reuse, lowering
costs and increasing operational flexibility. It’s a major step toward future
drone warfare, where large aircraft act as reusable, mobile drone bases.
2. HALE-Class Orca XLUUV
(USA)
The Orca XLUUV, also called the “Underwater Drone Mothership,” is one of the
U.S. Navy’s most advanced unmanned systems. Built by Boeing, this 26-meter-long
drone submarine has no crew and can stay underwater for months, traveling
thousands of miles without surfacing. It’s part of a shift from air-based
drones to secret underwater operations. The Orca carries up to six smaller
underwater drones inside. These include torpedo-sized UUVs like Razorback or
Remus, which are used for mine detection, spying, mapping, and data relay. The
Orca’s mission changes based on its modules—it can gather intel, jam enemy
sonar, guard sea cables, or place sensors in dangerous areas. It uses sonar,
acoustic sensors, AI navigation, and can connect to satellites when near the
surface. Its stealthy shape and quiet engines help it avoid detection. Built
mainly for the Pacific region, it fits U.S. plans for long-range island defense
and underwater control. Still in testing in 2024, the Orca isn’t in combat yet.
No other country has anything like it, though allies like Australia and the UK
are watching closely. Each system costs $70–$120 million, including its six
internal drones.
1.CH-7 Rainbow (China)
Nicknamed “The Stealth Queen,” the CH-7 Rainbow is China’s answer to the U.S.
B-2 Spirit bomber—only this one doesn’t need a pilot. Built by the China
Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the CH-7 features a
flying-wing design with a wingspan of 22 meters. Its sleek, radar-evading shape
is designed for stealth missions deep into enemy territory. Though the full
specs remain classified, its expected payload capacity is between 2 to 3
tons—enough to carry bombs, surveillance pods, or electronic warfare tools.
Some defense analysts suggest that future models could also command swarms of
smaller drones’ mid-flight, potentially turning the CH-7 into a high-altitude
mothership. Its primary mission is deep-strike operations, where stealth is
crucial. That means flying into defended airspace to take out radar stations,
missile batteries, or enemy command centers before anyone even knows it's
there. China has displayed test models of the CH-7 at international defense
expos, signaling its commitment to deploying next-gen stealth drones for future
conflicts. Still under development, the CH-7 is a glimpse of what drone warfare
will look like in the near future: fast, quiet, and nearly invisible—yet
deadly.
Thanks for watching! Stay tuned to 4 Ever Green for more mind-blowing tech and unseen war machines. Until next time—stay curious, stay sharp!