The "American aircraft carrier" in the Chinese desert was destroyed

The missile range in the desert area of western China has always been famous for highly simulating the target of the main warship of the US Navy. According to the US "Business Insider" website recently, satellite photos have found the targets of China's desert shooting range simulating the most advanced "Ford" class aircraft carrier and other major warships in the United States - more careful observation shows that one of the targets has been destroyed.

The target of China desert shooting range simulating the main US ships, the US "commercial insider" website

Obviously, they are the symbol of China's test of the growing anti aircraft carrier missile power.

It is reported that this target in the Taklimakan Desert matches the shape, size and some details of the "Ford" aircraft carrier. For example, its island position is closer to the stern than the "Nimitz" class aircraft carrier, and the four catapult tracks marked on the deck are also consistent with the characteristics of the "Ford". Satellite photos show that one of the mobile aircraft carrier targets seems to have been hit by a missile, and obvious bullet marks appear near the ship island. Like other similar targets in the region, they were built to test the PLA's new anti aircraft carrier missiles, especially anti aircraft carrier ballistic missiles, highlighting China's efforts to establish an aircraft carrier strike group capable of stopping the United States.

Previously, the so-called aircraft carrier target built in China was just a simple concrete building

This is not the first time that Western media have found that China has built targets simulating major surface ships such as US Navy aircraft carriers or destroyers in desert shooting ranges. However, by comparison, it can be found that the simulation of these targets is rapidly improving. For example, the early target is only a cement pad whose overall dimension is basically the same as that of an aircraft carrier. Although satellite photos show that it has been directly hit by a powerful missile, the West does not believe that it can really show that the PLA's anti-ship ballistic missile has the ability to attack mobile targets at sea.

Comparison between US aircraft carrier target and US aircraft carrier in service

However, the satellite photos exposed since then show that these targets are more and more realistically simulating US naval ships. For example, a target simulating an aircraft carrier discovered in 2021 can even use the rail to move to play a more realistic role as a moving target at sea. The Planet Laboratory of the US Commercial Satellite Company also took pictures of other nearby targets, one of which was apparently a simulation of the US "Ali Burke" class destroyer. Previously, this kind of target was just a contour that matched the shape, but now it seems that there is structural improvement. A large number of corner reflectors are used to enhance its radar reflection characteristics, so as to better match the "Ali Burke" class destroyer.

The Chinese desert shooting range simulates the target of the main U.S. ships

According to the description of the American media, the "American aircraft carrier" in the Chinese desert was only similar in shape and outline before, but the newly discovered aircraft carrier target has been improved. For example, there are various masts near the "Ford" aircraft carrier target discovered this time. Their function is to equip radar reflectors to simulate all radar characteristics of real ships. "This will help to build a complete" Phantom Aircraft Carrier "in the desert. If on a smaller target, similar masts equipped with radar reflectors can also be used independently to simulate small ships." In addition, the top of some masts can also be installed with antennas and other equipment for various tests. According to the Power website, this design is closely related to the testing of anti-ship weapons, sensors, electronic warfare and electronic countermeasures systems developed by the People's Liberation Army, as well as radar seekers.

The report mentioned that the US Navy's aircraft carriers and other warships regularly patrol the waters of the Indo Pacific region and often conduct military exercises. These activities "sometimes cause friction with China". If there is a conflict between China and the United States, considering the status and role of American aircraft carriers, it is expected that China will target them - obviously, China's anti aircraft carrier strike capability supported by a complete combat system is far beyond the Hussain armed forces.

Comparison between US aircraft carrier target and US aircraft carrier in service

Because of this, American media reports cited China's strong anti aircraft carrier capability. "China hopes to test missiles targeting the US aircraft carrier Ford. In October 2023, the US Department of Defense released the annual China Military Power Report, which analyzes China's growing military strength and combat capability. The report's estimate of China's missile inventory shows that China's missile inventory has increased significantly since last year. The number of medium range ballistic missiles, such as Dongfeng-26, soared from 300 in 2021 to 500 in 2022. The range of these missiles is estimated to be 1000 to 3000 kilometers, and they are called "Guam Killers". Considering that they may also be used to attack US naval ships in the Pacific Ocean, they also earned the nickname of "aircraft carrier killers". "

The report acknowledged that more anti aircraft carrier ballistic missiles such as "Dongfeng-26" and various advanced anti ship cruise missiles may enable China to target the US aircraft carrier within a safe distance. This global unique anti aircraft carrier capability, whose real combat capability is increasingly recognized by the Pentagon, may also be the main reason why the U.S. aircraft carrier formation will retreat when the PLA exercises in Taiwan.