China has revealed its extraordinary plans to build an unmanned fighter aircraft carrier that will operate at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere.
The spacecraft, called ‘Luanniao’, is said to be capable of launching missiles from space and carrying up to 88 Xuan Nu fighter jets.
State media has shown a concept video of the Luanniao, a giant triangular ship resembling the Star Wars spaceship, measuring around 242 meters long and 684 meters wide, with a takeoff weight of up to 120,000 tons.
If the plan comes to fruition, it will be the world’s largest spacecraft, far beyond the capacity of existing technology.
However, most skeptical defense experts consider the project more propaganda to boost the morale of the Chinese people than the reality of affordable technology.
At the same time, the technology to sustain aircraft at the edge of the atmosphere with the ability to launch hypersonic missiles is still far from reach.
It would require fuel and propulsion systems that do not yet exist.
Defense expert at the Griffith Asia Institute, Australia, Peter Layton admitted that if Luanniao is successfully built, it will give China an extraordinary advantage.
This ship has the ability to fly outside enemy defense systems, is free from weather interference and can launch missiles precisely on target.
Luanniao is not just a single project. It is part of the Nantianmen Project, a major Chinese initiative to strengthen the country's air and space power.
This project also involves the development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft, Baidi, which is capable of operating close to space.
Although the US still dominates space technology, their momentum is seen to be slowing down.
China has also recorded several major successes such as the Chang'e-6 mission that brought back lunar samples, while the Chang'e-7 mission to search for water on the lunar surface is scheduled for this August.
However, Luanniao's ambitions are still far from reality. To launch it into orbit, China needs to master reusable rocket technology, which it has not yet mastered.
In addition, the risk of space debris also threatens the safety of the carrier if placed in orbit.
For now, Luanniao remains a technological fantasy. Without sufficient funding and technology, it may be a symbol of political propaganda rather than a real weapon.
