Type 076 apparition emerges from the Chinese mist
Speculation has been rife on the internet about an innovative new class of ship for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN): a landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessel, labelled as the Type 076, that is able to launch and recover fixed-wing aircraft.
It is not yet fully clear that China actually is developing such a class, which would complement Type 075 LHDs currently in production.
However, suspicions gained momentum when respective RfPs emerged online in China on 19 July for such features as UAVs, an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), advanced arresting gear, integrated electric propulsion, a 30t elevator, and 21MW
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?
South Korean shipbuilders are beginning to make their mark beyond Asia, competing for major North American and European submarine programmes and becoming serious contenders on a global scale.
-
AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official
Few concrete ideas have emerged so far on which “advanced capabilities” will be brought forward under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS partnership, but the Pentagon’s review of the programme could bring more clarity.
-
Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain
Sweden decided last year that it wanted a significantly larger warship for its Luleå Class programme than originally planned, with three likely contenders that could potentially deliver within the country’s tight schedule.
-
US Coast Guard prepares procurement of next-gen surface search radar
The NXSSR will replace five in-service capabilities and be the US Coast Guard’s primary collision avoidance system.
-
MBDA-led DragonFire’s latest trials move the LDEW system closer to UK Navy integration
The DragonFire lines up with other European laser-directed energy weapons being developed in collaboration with MBDA.