According to UOL, China made a replica of it as part of a new war strategy USS Gerald R Ford, the world's largest warship, to test the effectiveness of its missiles. The realscale structure was identified on a satellite image in a desert in the northeast of the country American company Planet Labs.
A destination in the desert
O USS Gerald R Fordis the first American super aircraft carrier of the new generation. Late last year, the ship was moved to the Middle East by Joe Biden's administration to support Israel's war against Hamas. The Chinese replica, which is 330 meters long like the real ship, was built at a missile test site in Xinjiang, as seen in images from last October.
Radar signature simulation
To simulate the Ford's radar signature, the Chinese model was surrounded by special masts with deflectors, eliminating the need to build an entire ship. This practice is not unprecedented. Last year, models of other US warships could be seen in pictures of the desert.
China's strategic priority
From a military perspective, China aims to ensure the security of its sea routes and exercise power over them, which is vital for the world's secondlargest economy. This plan involves the militarization of South China Seaan area that Beijing claims is 85% its own, a position disputed by the US and its allies and leading to constant maritime disputes.
Developing Warfare Skills
To be successful in future military conflicts, China must prevent enemy forces from sailing away from its shores. Therefore, the development of antiship missiles, including hypersonic models, is crucial. In the Pentagon's annual report released in November, the organization noted China's growing surveillance capabilities through satellites and drones that could monitor American forces from thousands of miles away.
China's sea power
Although the Chinese Navy is numerically larger, it still does not have the same power projection capabilities as the United States. China currently has six submarines and two aircraft carriers in service. However, A third aircraft carrier based on the Gerald Ford model is already in the testing phase and a fourth is in production.