June 12, 2025: China has observed the use of drones in the Ukraine War and developed a unique model of its own. The Chinese drone looks like a thermos bottle and weighs less than one kg. The drone is propelled by rotors, which can be folded into the body of the drone. The coaxial rotors enable the drone to carry twice its own weight. This is an unprecedented capability for a drone of this size and weight.

The Chinese drone also has two payload spaces, or bays. This allows the drone to be rapidly equipped for surveillance or attack missions. Three explosive devices, each equivalent to the explosive power of a hand grenade, are onboard. The user controls the drone via a fiber optic cable. The user observes the drone video using a handheld device similar to a video game controller.

These drones use an Artificial Intelligence which allows them to operate autonomously when near an operator controlled drone. One user controlled drone can be accompanied by three AI powered models that are also controlled by the operator. The drone can be launched using a grenade launcher, which extends its basic range of up to 50 kilometers.

China produces nearly two-third of the global supply of fiber optic cable. In Ukraine, drones controlled via this cable cannot be jammed and the cable is nearly impossible to sever while the drone is in the air. These drones are meant for use by individual soldiers in the same way they would use a hand grenade or Rocket Propelled Grenade/RPG anti-tank weapon.

Compact and weighing less than a kilogram, each soldier can carry several of these drones, giving a platoon of thirty troops enormous long-range fire power. A platoon commander or squad leader can use a drone for surveillance and assign troops targets to attack with their drones.

This new drone does not yet have an official name but will revolutionize the use of drones on the battlefield.