China builds mock US carrier targets in Taklamakan
By The BriefBrief
The PLA has built full-scale replicas of US Navy ships in the Taklamakan Desert near Ruoqiang, including an American aircraft carrier outline and targets resembling Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Satellite imagery from 2021 showed the mockups, and one 75-meter ship sits on a rail system to let crews practice hitting a moving target.
WHO:People's Liberation Army (PLA)
WHAT:Built mockups of US Navy aircraft carrier and destroyer targets in the Taklamakan Desert for live target practice.
WHEN:Reported Sep 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET
WHERE:Taklamakan Desert near Ruoqiang
WHY:To practice hitting moving targets using ship mockups and a rail system.
