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The prevailing model of military might for most key global powers hinges on a blend of land, maritime, and aerial defense mechanisms. Air defense systems are especially crucial as they are capable of identifying incoming threats from nearly any location on the planet. However, hypothetically, what if an assault originated from beyond our atmosphere? China is investigating that very possibility with the Luanniao, a theoretical aircraft carrier meant to patrol the cosmic seas.
The Chinese authorities are in the process of conceptualizing an advanced hybrid air and space-based defense framework known as Nantianmen. If successfully deployed as envisioned, this framework would empower China to track targets and conduct strikes not just from the atmosphere, but also from the planet’s orbit, safely beyond the surveillance and capabilities of ground-based air defense systems. The crucial element of this initiative is the massive Luanniao aircraft carrier, a spacecraft resembling something from “Star Wars.” The feasibility of such a vessel is open to debate, yet if one is to believe Chinese state media, the Luanniao could be functional by as early as 2040.