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Maxar satellite image shows a carrier target in Xinjiang, China
Satellite Image ©2021 Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters
Posted at Nov 08 2021 05:02 PM
A mobile target in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang, China is shown in this satellite picture taken on October 20, 2021 and released Monday. According to the U.S. Naval Institute, the set of satellite images showed full-scale outline of a U.S. carrier and at least two Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers built at what appears to be a new target range complex in the Taklamakan Desert. The discovery raises concern on China’s effort to build up anti-carrier capabilities, specifically against the U.S. Navy, as tensions remain high with Washington over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Satellite Images Show China Built Mock-Ups of US Warships
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a building on rail tracks in Ruoqiang county, China, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Satellite images appear to show China has built mock-ups of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and destroyers in its northwestern desert, such as one at center in this image, possibly as practice for a future naval clash as tensions rise between the nations. (Maxar Technologies via AP)
8 Nov 2021
Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) — Satellite images show China has built mock-ups of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and destroyer in its northwestern desert, possibly for practice for a future naval clash as tensions rise between the nations.
China has massively upgraded its military in recent years, and its capability and intentions are increasingly concerning to the United States as tensions rise over the South China Sea, Taiwan and military supremacy in the Indo-Pacific.
The images captured by Colorado-based satellite imagery company Maxar Technologies dated Sunday show the outlines of a U.S. aircraft carrier and at least one destroyer sitting on a railway track.

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During WW II there was a mockup of a Japanese CA or BB in what is now Edwards AFB.