Image source: topwar.ru
The Chinese press showed the launching ceremony of the first aircraft-carrying amphibious assault ship of the Type 076 class, named Sichuan. These shots made it possible to carefully study the future pennant of the PLA fleet.
The ship, which has been under construction at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai since at least October 2023, has two superstructures, a wide flight deck with one electromagnetic catapult, hangars for boats and equipment, and a layered air defense system.
- it is said in the Western press.
Image source: topwar.ru
The total displacement is about 40 thousand tons, the length is 263 m, the width is almost 43 m, which makes it much larger than the Type 075 ships available in China. In the bow there is an electromagnetic catapult, in the stern there is a hook for braking aircraft.
According to a number of Western observers, the vast deck is designed primarily to accommodate UAVs such as the GJ-11 Sharp Sword or its derivatives. It can also accommodate short-takeoff and vertical landing aircraft, which are being developed by China, and lighter conventional manned aircraft, as well as helicopters.
Image source: topwar.ru
There are two superstructures on the deck, one of which is used for navigation and other tasks related to naval operations, and the other for flight control of a large UAV wing. This solution is also typical for other ships – the British aircraft carriers Queen Elizabeth, the Italian amphibious assault ship Trieste and the promising Indian aircraft carrier Vishal.
Type 076 is equipped with a stern deck for launching and lifting landing craft. Air defense systems are represented by at least three HQ-10 SAM launchers (two on the stern and one on top of one of the superstructures), at least three 30-mm Type 1130 Gatling gun-type guns (two on each side of the hull and one on the stern) and, apparently, four anti-aircraft rocket launchers. with 32 guides (two on each side of the housing).
Image source: topwar.ru
Anti-aircraft rocket launchers (in the foreground) and Type 1130 ZAK (in the background)
The HQ-10 uses missiles similar to the RIM-116, which are used on warships of the U.S. Navy and other Western countries, and are designed to provide short-range protection against cruise missiles and other aerial threats, as well as possibly from some small surface targets.
The Type 076's air defense capabilities can be further enhanced by electronic warfare and electronic intelligence systems.
Image source: topwar.ru
As indicated in the Western press, very large amphibious ships make it possible to conduct large-scale troop landings using drones responsible for reconnaissance and target destruction. Thanks to their own air wing, they can reduce the load on classic aircraft carriers.
- the conclusion is drawn in the Western press.
