China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has introduced an ultra-compact micro-drone, roughly the size of a mosquito, marking a major shift in modern warfare strategies. Weighing under one kilogram, his drone is designed for stealthy reconnaissance and even combat missions, representing the PLA’s push toward “intelligentized” warfare, integrating AI, autonomy, and miniaturization in battlefield applications.
Unlike traditional quadcopters, this drone features a dual-rotor coaxial system that provides robust lift. These can carry payloads up to twice their own weight, including up to three grenades. Its design emphasizes portability, silent operation, and rapid deployment. Troops can be launched from a 35 mm grenade launcher, enabling fast takeoff and extended strike range.
A neural processing unit gives the drone AI-driven targeting abilities. Operators can manage multiple units simultaneously, enabling a single soldier to orchestrate swarms of these drones for reconnaissance or direct attack missions, whether it’s for surveillance or strike roles.
As part of the PLA’s so-called “phased leap” in unnamed combat, these micro-drones will mark the first phase of a. broader doctrine aiming to transition from information-focused warfare to fully autonomous intelligent warfare systems. China also accelerates deployments of larger swarming drones, mothership platforms, and fiber optic guided models that resist electronic countermeasures. Experts have noted the ingenuity in China’s micro drone innovation. Its payload flexibility and deployability provide frontline soldiers with significant standoff capabilities.
This latest deployment by China has come amid a global surge in drone-based warfare with black box drones, which are now cheaper and more effective than ever. Micro drones add a new dimension. They are ideal for swarm tactics and autonomous missions, lowering he threshold for disturbed combat operations.
This shift contrasts with Western large-scale aircraft programs, which emphasize fewer, more expensive systems. In Dr. Zhiwei Shi’s team’s example, swarming splittable drones, which can autonomously separate in flight, demonstrate novel multi-role capabilities. Tests were conducted to show that units maintain 40–100% higher efficiency than conventional small drones, both in unified and solo modes
The PLA’s move intensifies the drone arms race. The U.S. Defense Department responds with it “Replicator” program plans to field tousand sof modular drones, Other nationas including Taiwan, Japana and South Korea are likewise accelerating drone investments and swarm countermeasures.
China’s unveiling of mosquito-sized AI-powered micro‑drones signals a new era in unmanned combat—cheap, compact, and smart. Integrated into broader drone strategies, these UAVs could reshape battlefield dynamics globally, pushing militaries to rethink how they integrate technology, scale, and autonomy in future warfare. Keep Reading Questiqa.com for more news.
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