The Type 076 landing helicopter dock (NATO reporting name: Yulan-class landing helicopter assault[5]) is a planned class of amphibious assault ship for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).[6] Compared to the similarly sized Type 075, the Type 076 is expected to have a CATOBAR system of electromagnetic catapult and arresting gears for operating light fixed-wing aircraft, likely unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV).[3]
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Preceded by | Type 075 landing helicopter dock |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Amphibious assault ship |
| Displacement | 48,000 t (47,000 long tons) (full load) |
| Length | 252.3 m (828 ft) (flight deck)[1] |
| Beam | 45 m (148 ft) (flight deck)[1] |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | IEP |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 × Type 726 Yuyi class LCAC |
| Aircraft carried | |
| Aviation facilities | Hangar deck |
Development
In mid-2020, official request for proposals (RFP) associated with the Type 076 were discovered on the Internet. Specifications from the RFPs were for a 21 MW gas turbine and diesel powerplants, a medium-voltage direct current integrated power system, and a well deck. The specified aviation equipment included a "UAV deck", a munition elevator, a 30-ton flight deck elevator, an electromagnetic CATOBAR system for light aircraft, most likely UCAVs.[3]
Design
H. I. Sutton of the Forbes believes the Type 076 will have a full-length flight deck.[2] The ship will likely operate helicopters and UCAVs;[6][3][2] the Hongdu GJ-11 and Flying Dragon-2 UCAVs may be candidates.[2] A well deck may also be included.[3]