For several years, there has been persistent talk of an enlarged variant of the Chinese TYPE 075 LHDs, intended for the role of LHA or drone-carrier, designated as TYPE-076 (YULAN class). However, the well-known opacity of Chinese programs means that analysts must necessarily rely on images rather than official plans.

Recently, some photos have emerged online confirming the decisive progress of construction. The elevator on the left side was installed in September 2024, and the launch date is hypothesized for 2025, with entry into service in 2027. The ship is currently under construction at the Hudong Zhonghua shipyard (CSSC Group) on Changxing Island, opposite Shanghai, and work is proceeding at the speed to which Chinese shipbuilding has now accustomed us.

The TYPE 076 features a 2-block island like many modern aircraft-carrying units (including the TRIESTE and the QUEEN ELIZABETH classes), and an overall length of about 250 m (for comparison, the TYPE 075s are 232 m long, the TRIESTE 245 m, and the AMERICA class LHAs are 257 m) and a width of 50 m at the flight deck, with a presumed full load displacement of 45,000 t. The maximum speed is estimated at 25 knots, with an integrated electric propulsion system (2 gas turbines of 57,100 hp and 6 diesel generators for a total of 48,300 hp).

The armament, similar to that of the TYPE-075 LHDs, includes 2 24-cell launchers for HHQ-10 very short-range missiles (comparable to the US RAM), and 2 30 mm 11-barrel H/PJ-11 CIWS machine guns. What is unique, however, is the presence of an EMALS catapult with a length of about 130 m. The relatively low weight of UAVs allows the use of lower power catapults compared to those needed on traditional aircraft carriers, and the same applies to the arresting wires used for landing.

In the immediate vicinity of the shipyard, a mock-up of part of the flight deck has been set up, where tests for aircraft handling are being carried out. For fixed-wing unmanned aircraft, the use of the "fast" Hongdu GJ-11 SHARP SWORD attack and reconnaissance drone is hypothesized (a "flying wing" reminiscent of the Northrop Grumman X-47B demonstrator, or perhaps a miniature version of the B-2 SPIRIT bomber, since the GJ-11 has 2 ventral bomb bays). The GJ-11 has a wingspan of 15 m, which would thus allow a margin of 5 m on each side.

A navalized version of the "slow" Chengdu WING LOONG-3 drone (perhaps with a reduced wingspan of 17-18 m compared to the standard 20 m) is also expected to be introduced.

This is of course in addition to the manned helicopters Changhe Z-18 (heavy transport, anti-submarine warfare and radar alert), Harbin Z-20 (assault and ASW, copy of the US UH/MH-60), Kamov Ka-28 (ASW), and CAIC Z-10 (attack), which have already been spotted on the flight deck mock-up. It is estimated that the air group may include about 30 aircraft in total.

The ship also has a large floodable well deck, like the TYPE-071 LPDs and TYPE-075 LHDs. This can be used to launch TYPE-726 amphibious assault hovercraft, amphibious armored vehicles, but also a series of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles. The use of such a unit could include both the normal roles of an LHD/LHA during an amphibious operation, with the ability to transport up to 1,000 men and related vehicles and equipment, and those of a light aircraft carrier with surveillance/reconnaissance, air-to-surface attack (anti-ship, strike, close support), and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, creating a synergy between unmanned fixed-wing aircraft and manned helicopters, especially thanks to the considerable operational autonomy of drones, much greater than that of traditional aircraft.

It is very likely that, once the evaluation phase is concluded, the first unit will be followed by others, thus adding to the fleet of 8 TYPE-075 LHDs, 8 TYPE-071 LPDs and 15 TYPE 072A LSTs, 11 TYPE-072III LSTs, and 4 TYPE-072II LSTs.

Finally, it should be noted that in the same shipyard used for the construction of the TYPE-076, in summer 2024, 4 TYPE-052DL destroyers, 2 TYPE-055 cruisers, 2 TYPE-054A frigates, 1 TYPE 075 LHD, and 3 Coast Guard cutters were also under construction simultaneously, which gives, once again, an idea of the enormous capabilities of Chinese shipbuilding.

In this regard, it is worth remembering that China has recently introduced into service a small drone carrier with a catamaran hull. This is a platform with civilian/merchant characteristics rather than a naval vessel, built at the Jiangsu Dayang Marine shipyard on the Yangtze River, with a length of about 120 m and a width at the flight deck of about 35 m. In all likelihood, this ship is dedicated to training or experimental tasks, in order to more easily develop skills and procedures without having to engage (and risk) the few and expensive units. The lines drawn on the flight deck indicate a takeoff/landing runway for fixed-wing aircraft, while there are no spots for helicopters. The deck also features a small elevator to move loads and service vehicles, since it is not large enough for an aircraft, and, judging from the images, it does not even have a hangar under the flight deck, which would be in line with its role as a training and non-operational vehicle.

In recent months, there has been a succession of news about drone-carrying ships: the experiences carried out by the Royal Navy (September 2023, UAV HCMC, and November 2023, UAV MOJAVE on the aircraft carrier PRINCE OF WALES), by the Turkish Navy (November 2024, UAV TB-3 on the LHD ANADOLU), by the South Korean Navy (November 2024, UAV GRAY EAGLE STOL on the LPH DOKDO), and the modification in Iran of a container ship into the drone carrier SHAHID BAGHERI (with UAV MOHAJER-6). Furthermore, the Portuguese Navy has ordered the DOM JOAO-II, a multifunctional ship with a continuous 98 m deck and ski jump to also use fixed-wing drones.

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