World’s Largest Amphibious Assault Ship Under Construction In China

China is constructing the world’s largest amphibious assault ship as part of its new Type 076 class, also known in the West as the Yulan class.

Defense experts analyzed new images, showing major progress, particularly the installation of two island superstructures on the ship’s deck at the Changxing Island Shipbuilding Base near Shanghai.

The twin-island superstructures are expected to streamline and improve air operations, including the use of larger drones.

The ship’s twin-island design is similar to that used on other large naval vessels, like the British Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the Italian Trieste amphibious ship.

One island is mainly used for ship navigation, while the other controls flight operations, allowing the vessel to handle more complex air traffic.

According to these images, the first of the two island superstructures have been installed onboard the 076 LHD/LAH.

(Images via @uhddiiiii from Weibo)@AlexLuck9 @CovertShores @xaviervav @horobeyo pic.twitter.com/M798hj6lEj

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The design selection shows China’s increased focus on enhancing its naval airpower, including the deployment of drones and other air assets.

Per reports, the Type 076 will have a larger open flight deck than the usual amphibious ships. The flight deck is estimated to be 260 by 52 meters, providing about 13,500 square meters of operational space, much more than the U.S. America-class amphibious assault ships and the Japanese Izumo-class carriers.

The ship’s capability will most likely go beyond standard helicopters to incorporate fixed-wing aircraft and drones, maybe using a catapult system.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) believes the Type 076 will also feature an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), a cutting-edge technology that has only been successfully implemented in the United States and China.

Update again on the Type 076: According to these new images, now already both island superstructures have been installed.

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This technology would allow for the launch of larger fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). The ship is likely to have several aircraft elevators along with its advanced catapult system.

Per the CSIS, once completed, the Type 076 will be larger than most amphibious assault ships, carrying dozens of helicopters, drones, and landing craft, and over 1,000 marines.

Its large flight deck and hangar area will enable it to launch and retrieve aircraft more efficiently than previous models.

Though the Type 076 is still being built, experts believe it will be ready for debut in the first half of 2025. However, it may take some time before the ship becomes fully operational within the PLAN fleet.

Once operational, it is expected to greatly enhance China’s power projection capabilities, allowing more extended operations away from its coastlines.

References: The War Zone, Business Insider