A concept video shows the giant 800 ft long triangular ship – dubbed the Luanniao – roaring through the Earth’s atmosphere. Designers claim it will be able to evade all current air defence systems and carry nimble unmanned fighter jets and hypersonic missiles.
China has reignited the space race as the country has unveiled plans to construct a futuristic carrier which looks like something out of Star Wars.
Chinese State media have released a concept video of the world’s biggest space super weapon capable of deploying unmanned fighter jets which can fire missiles from the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. Dubbed Luanniao, the world’s biggest warship is planned to travel through space above all current defensive systems as the country claims the project could be operational within the next 20 to 30 years.
The massive cosmic megaproject will weigh an estimated 120,000 tons making it far heavier than any modern space craft today. The craft is expected to be huge measuring 242 metres long and 684 metres wide resembling a huge grey triangular aircraft carrier like something out of the Star Wars series.
Chinese state media have said the space carrier will be designed to carry up to 88 unmanned Xuan Nu fighter jets. These jets will reportedly be high mobility stealth aircraft which will be able to fire hypersonic missiles at the Earth.
Space security expert Juliana Süß of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs has said: “China has long been number two in space — behind the United States, but well ahead of Europe.”
The expert added Beijing has invested “extremely large sums of money,” in the Chinese space program and added space plays a prestigious role for China’s leadership and is “extremely important for military capabilities.”
Peter Layton, a defence expert and a visiting fellow at Australia’s Griffith Asia Institute has revealed how the massive space superweapon would work. The expert has said the massive ship would be capable of flying over the planet and deploying surface-to-air missiles and other fighter aircrafts.
He added : “You’re also out of range of the weather, generally speaking – and you’re out of range of most defensive systems.”
Mr Layton has said China unveils projects like this to “inspire the Chinese public” and present itself on the cutting edge of technological innovation. The expert believes pushing the narrative around the futuristic space race mega project is part of China’s greater effort to show its neighbours that the country is a world military power.
Layton added: “For the external audience, it does paint the picture that they are working on technology that the region just can’t aspire to – it’s literally Star Wars stuff.”