China teases futuristic ‘Star Wars’ space warship that would deploy jets, missiles
China has revealed an ambitious concept for a futuristic, “Star Wars”-inspired warship that state media claims could one day deploy unmanned fighter jets and fire hypersonic missiles from the edge of space.
On Tuesday, Chinese outlets released a dramatic computer-generated video showing the proposed Luanniao carrier racing along the upper atmosphere while launching missiles and swarms of aircraft.
According to state media, the vessel would be nearly 800 feet long—potentially making it the largest warship ever built—and would have a distinctive triangular design reminiscent of science fiction films. The carrier is reportedly intended to carry up to 88 unmanned Xuan Nu fighter jets.
Chinese reports suggest the Luanniao could become operational within the next 30 years. The project is being developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China as part of broader efforts to expand the nation’s air and space capabilities.
Some defense analysts, however, are skeptical of the proposal, calling it more spectacle than substance.
“For the external audience, it creates the impression that China is pursuing technology far beyond what others can even imagine—it’s literally ‘Star Wars’ territory,” defense expert Peter Layton told the UK’s Telegraph. Layton, a visiting fellow at Australia’s Griffith Asia Institute, argued that the technology required to build such a craft does not currently exist. He noted that it would require enormous amounts of fuel and propulsion systems that are not even in development.
Layton also said China has a history of using bold concepts and imagery to inspire its domestic audience and project an image of technological leadership.
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