Image source: topwar.ru
Initially, it was assumed that another universal landing ship of type 075 was being built. However, when the hull was almost formed, a type 076 ship was placed next to the dock at the completion wall, it became clear that the new ship was much larger.
The published photos clarify some important details of type 076. These photos, taken from overflights of the facility due to its proximity to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, clearly show a long recess for the catapult on the deck. Its length is about 100 meters, which roughly corresponds to the electromagnetic catapult installed on the first Chinese super-aircraft carrier Fujian. Such dimensions do not indicate comparable aircraft launch capabilities. However, equipping a landing craft with a catapult to launch aircraft is a global novelty in military shipbuilding.
Type 076 should have a length of 250 to 260 meters along the flight deck, and its width along the flight deck should exceed 50 meters. The total displacement will exceed 40,000 tons and can be comparable to the displacement of the UDC type "America", which has a displacement of 46,000 tons.
The Type 075 has an estimated displacement of about 36,000 tons, as does the American Tarawa-class LHA. Unlike the Type 075, the new ship must have at least one on-board elevator for aircraft. Apparently, the power plant will be a gas turbine, which will be a noticeable difference from the diesel type 075. As a direct consequence of this powerplant, the Type 076 can have a two-point configuration.
Given the rapid progress of Type 076 construction, Hudong may launch the ship by early 2025. However, this date remains quite relative, given that this is a new design.
Image source: topwar.ru
The Type 076 is a very interesting concept of a universal landing craft designed to base both helicopters and aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), as well as large (heavy) drones. This is still only theoretical, since the aerial finishers on the deck are not yet visible. However, the option of basing the GJ-11 UAV on it is already being considered.
