China's first amphibious assault ship with an electromagnetic catapult

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Type 076 is redefining naval power by merging the roles of a landing dock and a drone carrier. By integrating electromagnetic catapults—technology typically reserved for massive aircraft carriers—into an amphibious hull, China is creating a versatile platform capable of projecting power across the sea.

The Type 076, known by the NATO reporting name Yulan-class, represents a significant leap in naval architecture over its predecessor, the Type 075. While it functions as a landing helicopter dock (LHD) with a floodable stern well deck for amphibious vehicles, its most distinctive feature is the CATOBAR system. This electromagnetic catapult allows the ship to launch light fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), such as the GJ-21, a capability previously unseen on this class of vessel.

To manage these complex operations, the ship utilizes a 'twin-island' superstructure. This design physically separates the ship's navigation functions from its flight operations, ensuring that the high-tempo activity of launching and recovering aircraft does not interfere with the vessel's primary maneuvering. The ship is powered by a 21 MW gas turbine and diesel powerplant, supported by a medium-voltage direct current integrated power system to handle the massive energy demands of the catapults.

The vessel is substantial in scale, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimating a full displacement of 50,000 tonnes, while Chinese state media reports it exceeds 40,000 tonnes. The lead ship, Sichuan, began sea trials in November 2025 and participated in South China Sea exercises in April 2026. To protect itself, the vessel features a sturdy array of weaponry comprising four launchers for sonar decoys, chaff, and flares, alongside three short-range surface-to-air missile batteries and three close-in weapon systems.

This hybrid design matters because it allows the People's Liberation Army Navy to project air power and amphibious landing capabilities simultaneously. By accommodating both manned jets like the J-35 and a variety of UAVs, the Type 076 serves as a multi-role hub for modern maritime warfare, capable of transitioning from a transport vessel to a high-tech drone carrier in a single deployment.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• China's new supercarrier Fujian signals a shift in maritime power and naval technology
• China is building a nuclear-powered supercarrier that may eclipse the world's largest warships
• The Type 052C Destroyer marked China's leap into modern naval area air defense
• The Chinese destroyer that fundamentally changed how the PLAN projects power
• The submarine that became the world's most exported underwater workhorse
• China's naval ambitions faced a decades-long industrial roadblock before this ship
• How a German-Italian submarine stays hidden underwater for three weeks without surfacing
• China's Type 730 CIWS: A high-speed defense system against modern naval threats
• One hull, three identities: the modular future of naval warfare
• From fighter pilot to the architect of integrated defence strategy
• The USS Roosevelt is a naval vessel honoring both a president and a first lady.
• How Turkey built a national fleet of stealthy anti-submarine warships

More in Naval warfare · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics