The People’s Liberation Army of China has constructed a full-scale replica of a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to serve as a missile-test target [1, 2].
This development indicates a strategic effort by the Chinese military to refine the accuracy of its long-range precision weapons. By using realistic targets, the PLA can better simulate actual combat conditions and test the effectiveness of anti-ship missiles against specific American vessel designs [1, 2].
The replica is located at a missile-testing range in the Taklamakan Desert in north-western China [1, 2]. Satellite images reveal that the mock-up is not stationary; the structure can be moved along railway tracks to create varied testing scenarios [3]. This mobility allows the military to simulate different angles of approach and movement for the target during missile trials [3].
In addition to the destroyer, reports indicate that China has built replicas of other U.S. warships and jets [1, 2]. These targets are designed to provide high-fidelity signatures for radar and infrared guidance systems, ensuring that the missiles are tracking a shape, and size consistent with actual U.S. assets [1, 2].
The construction of these targets was reported in July 2024 [1, 2]. The focus on the Arleigh Burke-class is notable, as these destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. Navy's surface fleet and are primary targets for anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategies [1, 2].
“The replica is located at a missile-testing range in the Taklamakan Desert.”
The use of full-scale physical replicas suggests that the PLA is moving beyond computer simulations and generic targets to achieve higher precision in its strike capabilities. This specific focus on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer highlights China's intent to counter the U.S. Navy's primary surface combatants, potentially increasing the risk profile for American vessels operating in the Indo-Pacific region.
