China is inching forward to closing a significant gap in its naval prowess – a nuclear-powered warship. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will make Beijing a force to be reckoned with in the open seas.

One of the last technical advantages U.S. aircraft carriers have over their Chinese counterparts is close to dissolving. Deep in central China, hundreds of miles from the ocean, researchers are developing a nuclear reactor designed to power large warships—one that will almost certainly be used to power China’s next generation of aircraft carriers.

It is worth noting that the Type 004 is expected to be a more advanced design than the Liaoning and Shandong. It will be China’s most powerful aircraft carrier when inducted in navy. Currently, China’s most powerful aircraft carrier is the Fujian, which is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system.

It already has the world’s largest navy, but new satellite imagery shows that China is developing a huge nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that would rival the biggest vessel in the American fleet, five analysts told NBC News after studying new satellite imagery.

China continues to build its military muscle with new satellite images, which show the newest addition to the world's largest navy.