China has revealed plans for a 684 metre-wide space craft capable of carrying dozes of fighter jets.
The vessel, named Luanniao, would span approximately 2,244 feet and have a projected takeoff weight of 120,000 tonnes.
Beijing's plans call for the space craft to carry 88 unmanned Xuan Nu fighter jets, according to local media.
The jets are understood to be highly agile, stealth aircraft capable of launching hypersonic missile systems.
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It is thought the Luanniao could be operational within the next two to three decades.
The space craft forms part of China's wider Nantianmen Project, which aims to develop a more integrated air-space system.
If the vessel was to be successfully constructed, it would "outclass pretty much everyone" according to defence expert and visiting fellow at Australia’s Griffith Asia Institute, Peter Layton.
Mr Layton said the Luanniao would be able to fly over other missiles and aircraft.
Experts say the space craft would 'outclass pretty much everyone' if it was to be built
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He told The Telegraph: "You’re also out of range of the weather, generally speaking – and you’re out of range of most defensive systems."
Despite the bold vision, considerable scepticism surrounds the project's viability.
Mr Layton believes the announcement may primarily serve for China to demonstrate to other nations that it was a leading military power.
“For the external audience, it does paint the picture that they are working on technology that the region just can’t aspire to – it’s literally Star Wars stuff,” he added.
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One expert said the announcement may serve for China to demonstrate to other nations that it was a leading military power
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He suggested China is about 10 to 15 years behind Elon Musk and his SpaceX rockets.
Set up in 2002, SpaceX disrupted the global space industry with its reusable Falcon rockets, which proved vital to the swift launch of Starlink, a satellite broadband network now consisting of thousands of satellites in space.
The aerospace company, founded by Mr Musk, holds billions of dollars in federal contracts with Nasa, the US Department of Defence and intelligence agencies.
The billionaire said SpaceX has acquired his artificial-intelligence startup xAI, in a record-setting deal that unifies his AI and space ambitions by combining the rocket-and-satellite company with the maker of the Grok chatbot.
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