China’s army has unveiled a futuristic “space carrier” concept, signaling Beijing’s long-term ambitions to expand military power beyond Earth’s atmosphere. In a newly released concept video published by Chinese state media, the carrier—named Luanniao—is depicted flying high above the Earth and deploying unmanned fighter aircraft capable of operating at the edge of the planet’s atmosphere.

The images show the Luanniao firing weapons into space, presenting a vision of integrated air-and-space combat that blurs the line between traditional aviation and orbital warfare. According to Chinese military sources, the concept forms part of a broader initiative known as Nantianmen, or “Heavenly Gate,” an integrated air and space-defense system designed to project power across multiple domains.

Chinese officials emphasized that the space carrier remains a long-term concept, claiming it could become operational within the next 20 to 30 years. While the technology is not yet deployable, analysts note that the release of such imagery serves a strategic purpose, signaling China’s intent to compete with the United States and its allies in future space-based military capabilities.

The unveiling comes amid growing global concern over the militarization of space, with major powers racing to develop systems capable of operating beyond traditional airspace. By publicly showcasing the Luanniao concept, Beijing appears to be laying the groundwork for a future in which space becomes a contested military domain, reinforcing China’s broader strategy of long-term technological and strategic competition.