The message to the world has been sent—and it is brutal; 120,000 tons carried by 88 combat aircraft VIDEO

According to state media and simulations by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), it is a triangular aircraft measuring 242 meters in length and as much as 684 meters in width, with a takeoff weight of 120,000 tons—far larger than any existing aircraft carrier in the world.

“Luanniao” is intended to fly at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere, in the so‑called near‑space zone, where it would be beyond the reach of most surface‑to‑air missiles, conventional fighter jets, and adverse weather conditions.

Its main role would be to deploy up to 88 unmanned stealth combat aircraft, the "Xuan Nu," capable of launching hypersonic missiles.

Thanks to its position high above the targets, the aircraft would allow highly precise and nearly unstoppable strikes, while at the same time being very difficult for defensive systems to reach.

The project is part of a broader program called "Nantianmen" (Southern Heavenly Gate), which has been developing China’s space and aerial capabilities for over a decade.

The "Luanniao" concept was first publicly introduced about ten years ago, but it has now been re‑promoted through impressive animations and simulations on state media channels.

Beijing claims that the aircraft could become operational in 20 to 30 years, meaning sometime between 2046 and 2056.

However, most Western experts remain skeptical about the feasibility of such an endeavor.

The technology required to keep such a massive vehicle in stable flight at the edge of the atmosphere does not yet exist. Revolutionary propulsion systems, enormous amounts of energy and fuel, and solutions for extreme thermal and aerodynamic conditions would be necessary.

An alternative—placing it in full orbit—would make the craft vulnerable to space debris and would require reusable rockets, which China has not yet successfully developed at the level of SpaceX’s Starship.

Australian defense analyst Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, told the British Telegraph that "Luanniao" is more likely a propaganda project than a real plan.

According to him, such concepts serve to boost national pride within China and send a message to neighbors and the West that Beijing is thinking about the future of warfare in space and air in ways others cannot yet reach.

"It’s literally like something out of Star Wars—and that’s exactly why it looks so powerful in psychological warfare," Layton said.

China has been investing heavily in space technology for years—from its Tiangong space station and lunar programs to the development of hypersonic weapons.

Even if "Luanniao" remains just a concept, it fits perfectly into this strategy: it demonstrates ambition, inspires awe, and reminds the world that Beijing is thinking not just about the present, but about dominance in the decades to come, reported Večernji list.