[1][3] The airship would use a mercury-cadmium-telluride detector along with multiple 300mm aperture telescopes, which would allow it to concentrate on the 2.8-4.3 micrometre wavelength range, where atmospheric interference is minimal.
[1][3] In theory, the researchers believe that the unmanned airship would be able to detect an F-35’s rear and side thermal signature from over 1,800 km away when operating at a atmospheric height of 20km.
[1][3] The researchers suggest that a constellation of these airships would be able to triangulate the target, overcome blind spots and increase their collective detection range.
[2] The main advantage for these airships, is that they are technologically cheap and operate in a "sweet spot"; higher than traditional AEW&C aircraft but closer than satellites.
[1][3][2] The cheapness to produce means that even a 50% loss would not significantly cripple the early warning and detection capability of China's surveillance grid.