During this month, a series of images were posted on social media purportedly showing the installation of an electromagnetic catapult on the new Type 076 amphibious assault ship currently under construction and destined for the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China. The shipyard responsible for this installation is Hudong-Zhonghua in Shanghai, which has also produced previous amphibious assault and landing ships for the Chinese naval forces.
According to the images that have gone viral, the new Type 076 features a single long electromagnetic catapult on its deck, approximately 100 meters in length. This makes it quite similar to the system installed on the EPL Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian. However, it should not be assumed that both vessels will be capable of transporting and deploying the same types of aircraft, but rather that this represents a significant advancement in naval construction.
In line with this, it is important to note that the Type 076 is an evolution of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship design, of which the Chinese Navy currently operates a total of four units. Three of these ships are in active service, while another is undergoing refurbishment at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard. The most noticeable differences between the designs, although not yet confirmed, appear to be the larger dimensions of the Type 076 (between 250 and 260 meters, with a beam of about 50 meters and a displacement of 40,000 tons), along with a new propulsion system consisting of a gas turbine replacing diesel engines and the aforementioned electromagnetic catapult.
Regarding the future aircraft that could be equipped on this platform, recent images have revealed two significant aspects: the presence of various helicopter models and a new testing installation for naval drones. The presence of helicopter models including the Chinese Z-9, Z-18, Z-20, and the Russian Ka-28/31 has been observed since 2022, positioned behind the dry dock where the Type 076 is currently being constructed.
As for the naval drone testing installation at Hudong-Zhonghua, recent images have shown two models of GJ-11 drones (similar in design to the U.S. X-45 and X-47) on a section of the Type 076’s deck, which appears wider and includes a flight deck similar to that of the ship. This installation is managed by Institute 708, part of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, operating in the country’s major shipyards.
*Credits for the images go to their respective owners.
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