China unveils ‘Star Wars’ space carrier.

Credit: @ChineseArmy/YouTube

China has unveiled plans for a space carrier that can deploy unmanned fighter jets capable of firing missiles from the edge of Earth’s atmosphere.

State media released a concept video of the futuristic Luanniao, the world’s largest warship, which travels through space above all current defensive systems.

China has claimed the carrier could become operational in 20 to 30 years. However, experts were skeptical of the project and some compared it to a stunt designed to “inspire the Chinese public”.

Resembling a spaceship from a Star Wars movie, the Luanniao will be a huge triangular aircraft carrier, 242 meters long and 684 meters wide. It will have a take-off weight of 120,000 tonnes – far more than any similar ship in service today.

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According to state media, the Luanniao will be designed to carry up to 88 unmanned Xuan Nu fighter jets. These will be highly maneuverable stealth aircraft capable of launching hypersonic missiles, but will be significantly heavier than drones.

If completed, the new spacecraft would “outpace pretty much everyone,” according to Peter Layton, a defense expert and visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia.

It would be able to fly over surface-to-air missiles and other fighter jets, he said, adding: “You’re also in range of the weather, generally speaking — and you’re in range of most defensive systems.”

The Luanniao could also allow Beijing to position it directly over targets and launch missiles at them.

Such capabilities would give China a significant advantage, including over Taiwan and in the South China Sea, which could be the scene of a future war against the United States.

Credit: @ChineseArmy/YouTube

Luanniao is part of China’s wider Nantianmen project, which translates to South Heavenly Gate.

Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the project encompasses a number of ambitious plans to expand the country’s air and space capabilities.

One of the most prominent items is a sixth-generation fighter, known as the Baidi fighter, which will also be able to operate in near space. A model of the plane was displayed at the 2024 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.

Luanniao is the latest development in the ongoing space race between the US and China. Beijing has invested in missile and satellite development in an effort to push the US out of the lead, and by some criteria it is now winning.

In 2024, China successfully launched Chang’e-6, a robotic spacecraft that reached the far side of the Moon and returned to Earth with lunar samples.

The Chang’e-7 mission, which aims to find water on the moon’s surface, is planned for August.

While the US still has leadership capabilities, its momentum appears to be slowing while China’s is growing.

Luanniao, by far the most ambitious part of the Nantianmen Project, was first conceived more than 10 years ago, but was dismissed by most experts as a fantasy project. For many, it still is.

The technology required for an aircraft to hover at the edge of Earth’s atmospheric boundary and launch missiles toward the surface does not currently exist. It would require “enormous amounts of fuel” as well as a new type of propulsion system that has yet to be developed, Mr Layton said.

One way China could achieve a similar result is by putting the carrier into orbit, similar to a satellite or rocket. However, in orbit, the aircraft would be vulnerable to debris, which would destroy it in the event of a collision.

To launch Luanniao into orbit, China would also need a reusable rocket. He’s been working for one for years, but hasn’t been able to get his hands on it until now.

Beijing may look to Elon Musk’s SpaceX reusable rockets for inspiration. However, the country is probably 10 to 15 years away from developing its own, Mr Layton said.

Given the major obstacles surrounding the development of Luanniao, the timing of Beijing’s announcement is likely to be part of a broader strategy – both at home and abroad.

Mr Layton explained that China used such stunts to “inspire the Chinese public” and show itself to be at the cutting edge of technological innovation.

Pushing the narrative around futuristic spaceships was part of a larger effort to demonstrate to its neighbors that it was a top military power, he said.

“For outside audiences, it shows that they’re working on technology that the region just can’t aspire to — it’s literally Star Wars stuff,” he added.

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