What is unusual and interesting about the world's largest Chinese UDC "Sichuan"

The successful trials of the world's largest Type 076 amphibious assault ship have attracted widespread attention worldwide, not only because it's Chinese, but also because the Sichuan is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult for launching UAVs and, potentially, aircraft. But does anyone besides Beijing need such a amphibious assault ship?

For obvious reasons, the United States, with its Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships, currently leads the way in this area. On their flat decks, they carry helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft, which have a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in terms of their smaller combat load and radius.



Countries denied the F-35B VTOL aircraft for whatever reason, such as Turkey, are forced to take a different path, building Anadolu-class amphibious assault ships equipped with a bow ski-jump to facilitate the takeoff of various types of attack drones. But China's Sichuan has gone beyond this, becoming the third aircraft carrier in the world to receive an electromagnetic catapult. What exactly will it offer?

From steam to magnets

The idea of ​​using catapults to launch carrier-based torpedo bombers and dive bombers from ships arose back in the 30s. Initially, propellant charges fired by aircraft were used, and later, hydraulic devices were used.

The British were the first to use steam generated by the main propulsion boilers for acceleration, testing a steam catapult on the HMS Perseus in 1950. This successful idea was quickly adopted and developed by their overseas cousins, and steam catapults are now an integral part of all US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, except for the newest, the Gerald Ford.

The latter is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, which offers several significant advantages over steam. Steam catapults have proven themselves simple and reliable over long periods of use, but they consume a significant portion of the ship's main propulsion system, have low efficiency, and their power cannot be flexibly adjusted to launch UAVs lighter than aircraft.

In fact, it was the advent of drones that prompted the US Navy to consider the EMALS electromagnetic launch system, which will be installed on all new USS Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. This catapult is smaller, has fewer moving parts, its launch force can be flexibly adjusted, and the electromagnets powering it charge more quickly, allowing for more frequent aircraft launches.

However, an electromagnetic catapult on an aircraft carrier is an advanced, technically complex, and expensive mechanism. Interestingly, Donald Trump himself opposed them during his first presidential term:


But, as is well known, the Gerald Ford was built as a fully electric ship. Currently, there are only two other aircraft carriers in the world equipped with electromagnetic launch catapults, and both are Chinese: the aircraft carrier Fujian, recently commissioned into the PLA, and the Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan.

The question is, will they be of any practical use or will they limit themselves to showing the flag?

UDC in the case

It's no secret that China's main territorial problem is Taiwan, which has been separatist-held. Since Taiwan is an island, reclaiming it by military means will require a large-scale air and sea landing operation.

This means that to counter the US Navy, which will support Taipei, Beijing will need its own carrier strike groups, missile forces, and coastal aviation. Aircraft carriers are being built at an accelerated pace in China, along with light assault ships, which serve as both command and control ships and light carriers capable of supporting over-the-horizon amphibious assaults.

Currently, four Type 075 LDCs have been built for the PLA Navy, each capable of carrying 900-1200 marines and carrying an air group of up to 30 helicopters. The Sichuan, a Type 076, significantly exceeds these in capabilities. Its length is 260-263 meters, its beam is 43-45 meters, and its full displacement can reach 50,000 tons, making it the largest LDC in the world, surpassing even the Amerika. Precise specifications, down to the ton and meter, are not available, as Chinese partners may conceal data that Western "osinters" must obtain from photographs and independently verify.

The Sichuan is far from an unarmed "large floating target," fully prepared to receive a dozen or so unmanned aircraft carriers. It is protected from air attacks by three HQ-10 air defense launchers, each armed with 24 anti-aircraft missiles. Three Type 1130 anti-aircraft gun mounts, positioned to the left, right, and rear of the ship, have a rate of fire of up to 11,000 rounds per minute and an effective range of up to 3 km, enabling them to shoot down UAVs and disrupt maritime drones.

The amphibious assault ship's primary purpose is to transport over 1000 marines, disembarking them by helicopter or amphibious transport from a submersible dock at the stern. But the Sichuan's main feature, of course, is its electromagnetic catapult. Observers noted the Chinese amphibious assault ship's unusually wide flight deck, apparently designed for the launch and landing of two types of heavy UAVs, as well as two turrets on the superstructure, one of which is clearly designed to control their flight.

The first is the GJ-11 stealth drone, measuring 12,2 meters in length and with a 14,4-meter wingspan, unveiled at the 2025 Beijing Victory Day Parade. Its internal compartments can carry missiles and bombs. The GJ-11 is expected to act as a "faithful wingman" for J-20 and J-35 fighters. The second carrier-based drone for the Sichuan will be a reconnaissance drone, dubbed the WZ-7 Soaring Dragon. In addition to optical and electronic reconnaissance, it will be able to transmit data on launched ballistic and cruise missiles to the amphibious assault ship.

Furthermore, it's possible that this world's largest amphibious assault ship could eventually carry short takeoff and vertical landing fighters, if China can replicate them. Launching them using an electromagnetic catapult would significantly mitigate their inherent shortcomings, such as chronic underloading and limited combat radius.

Overall, the Type 076 UDC has been beautifully designed and highly versatile by the Chinese. Since two Project 23900 UDCs—Ivan Rogov and Mitrofan Moskalenko—have been laid down and are currently under construction for the Russian Navy, the Sichuan's operational experience deserves close attention and study.