In recent months, with the confirmation of its construction, specialists have focused their attention on the progress made with the new Type 076 amphibious assault ship (LHD) of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China. The reasons for this are several, as there is a keen interest in determining whether it is indeed a design based on previously constructed LHD ships, as well as its capabilities for deploying manned and unmanned aircraft through the incorporation of a new catapult on its flight deck.
A series of photographs shared and circulated on social media have provided the clearest images of the new amphibious assault ship to date. Until a few days ago, most images of the Type 076 consisted of nearly vertical shots taken from commercial flights over the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai.
The Type 076 represents a new class of amphibious assault ship designed to enhance the projection capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Although it is based on the design of the Type 075 ships, of which the force has four units, its dimensions and features distinguish it as a unique class.
One of the main features observed in previous images is the installation of what appears to be a future electromagnetic catapult on its flight deck, similar to the one equipped on the new Fujian aircraft carrier. Recent high-quality images show noticeable differences compared to the Type 075. More precisely, the port side of the flight deck reveals an area that would house the future electromagnetic catapult system.
Although many details of the development remain unknown, the presence of these capabilities suggests that the Chinese Navy may be planning to equip the Type 076 with a mixed Airborne Group, consisting of both rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles of various types and functionalities.
In this context, as previously reported, satellite images from the same facilities showed the presence of a mock-up resembling the GJ-11 drones (similar in design to the U.S. X-45 and X-47) on what appears to be a section resembling the future flight deck of the Type 076, which is slightly wider and features a control tower or bridge similar to that of the mentioned vessel.
In the absence of more data, only the capabilities of the future Type 076 ship can be assumed, which has an estimated displacement of 40,000 tons, a length of between 250 and 260 meters, and a beam of 50 meters.
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