China Unveils Luanniao Airborne Carrier Concept

China has unveiled conceptual plans for a massive airborne aircraft carrier named Luanniao, designed to operate at the edge of Earth's atmosphere and deploy unmanned fighter jets and hypersonic missiles as part of its broader Nantianmen air and space defense program.

State media outlets, including CCTV, released photorealistic images and a promotional video this week depicting the Luanniao as a triangular platform measuring 242 meters in length, with a wingspan of 684 meters and a takeoff weight of 120,000 tons. The design surpasses the size of any existing warship or supertanker and is intended to carry up to 88 unmanned combat aircraft, referred to as Xuannu or Shuan Nu drones. These stealth fighters would be equipped to launch hypersonic missiles capable of striking targets in the atmosphere and orbit, positioning the carrier beyond the reach of conventional surface-to-air missiles and fighter jets.

The Luanniao forms a key element of the Nantianmen project, also known as South Heavenly Gate, which aims to integrate advanced aerospace systems for enhanced air and space capabilities. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the concept was first proposed about...