Still image from US Navy video purportedly showing Chinese dredging vessels around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters/File Photo
中国在南中国海的美济礁部署了浮空飞艇
卫星图像显示，似乎是一个浮空器，部署在南海美济礁的中国哨所上方。
当中国试图执行其邻国和美国拒绝的领土主张时，该浮空器可能成为更广泛的监视网络的一部分，以密切关注该地区。
China deploys aerostat in South China Sea
A satellite image
shows that an unmanned, tethered aerostat has been deployed to Mischief Reef, one of the largest of the artificial islands constructed by China amongst the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
The image, which was captured on 18 November, was sourced by ImageSat International (ISI).
The aerostat
is likely to be carrying a radar and its elevated position would significantly extend the radar horizon and therefore increase the area that can be monitored, particularly for surface vessels.
China has been developing aerostats for military use for about 20 years, although the type deployed to Mischief Reef cannot be positively identified.
Jane’s 360
https://www.janes.com/article/92935/china-deploys-aerostat-in-south-china-sea