Type 076, as a larger follow-up to the Type 075 LHD, was launched and named Sichuan with a ceremony. Type 076 stands out with its EMALS catapult and arresting gear similar to the ones on the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier for fixed-wing aircraft.
The EMALS and arresting gear will allow the operation of UCAVs, one of which might be the GJ-11, a jet-powered flying wing with stealth characteristics.
In addition to expanded aviation capabilities compared to its predecessor, Type 075, Type 076 keeps its floodable hangar for landing craft and amphibious vehicles.
The ceremony footage shows self-defence equipment, including at least three HHQ-10 point defence missile launchers and four Type 1130 CIWS with a radar upgrade.
Turkiye is applying the idea of UCAVs on LHDs in an alternative way to TCG ANADOLU LHD (L400) based on the Spanish Juan Carlos design. Bayraktar TB3 UCAV with STOL capability used the ski-jump and landed on its braking capability without arresting gear in 2024. Baykar plans to test KIZILELMA's unmanned fighter on TCG ANADOLU with arresting gear in the coming years.
