After the news that China tested a supersonic weapon, Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed we welcomed the “stiff competition.” She went on further to say that she doesn’t want it to lead to conflict, and this was before Biden admitted during a Townhall that we are committed to defending Taiwan. The Biden Administration of course backpedaled as they didn’t want to go on record that we were backing Taiwan. But it appears China was not convinced and has been showing just how they feel about us in their target practice. They have been using targets shaped like U.S. Ships.
“The Chinese military has built targets in the shape of an American aircraft carrier and other U.S. warships in the Taklamakan desert as part of a new target range complex, according to photos provided to USNI News by satellite imagery company Maxar.
The full-scale outline of a U.S. carrier and at least two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are part of the target range that has been built in the Ruoqiang region in central China. The site is near a former target range China used to test early versions of its so-called carrier killer DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles, according to press reports in 2013.
This new range shows that China continues to focus on anti-carrier capabilities, with an emphasis on U.S. Navy warships. Unlike the Iranian Navy’s aircraft carrier-shaped target in the Persian Gulf, the new facility shows signs of a sophisticated instrumented target range.
The carrier target itself appears to be a flat surface without the carrier’s island, aircraft lifts, weapons sponsons, or other details, the imagery from Maxar shows. On radar, the outline of the carrier stands out from the surrounding desert – not unlike a target picture, according to imagery provided to USNI News by Capella Space.
There are two more target areas representing an aircraft carrier that does not have the metaling, but are distinguishable as carriers due to their outline. But other warship targets appear to be more elaborate. There are numerous upright poles positioned on them, possibly for instrumentation, according to the imagery. Alternatively, these may be used for radar reflectors to simulate the superstructure of the vessel.”
They are likely just trying to make a point. But it is also very likely they are preparing for when there is a conflict between our countries.
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