China’s Type 076 LHD 'Sichuan' begins sea trials with EMALS catapult for fixed‑wing UAVs

China has begun sea trials of Sichuan (51), the first Type 076 landing helicopter dock, departing Hudong‑Zhonghua for navigational tests designed to verify onboard electrical systems. The 40,000‑ton ship features a full‑length flight deck and an electromagnetic catapult to operate fixed‑wing UAVs, helicopters and fighters.

Discovered 2025-11-13T08:31:55.524435-08:00 | 2025-11-13T08:31:55.524435-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Sichuan is the first Type 076 LHD — a >40,000‑ton flattop fitted with an electromagnetic catapult — enabling fixed‑wing UAV and manned aircraft operations from an amphibious platform and expanding PLA Navy aviation basing options.
  • The sea trial follows the recent commissioning of Fujian, Beijing’s first carrier with EMALS, highlighting a rapid push to field electromagnetic launch capability across multiple ship classes (see the commissioning of Fujian).
  • China has already validated EMALS launches of carrier aircraft during recent flight trials, providing technical precedent for similar launch operations aboard Sichuan (see validation of EMALS launches).

Reported By

ANI News Agency armadainternational.com Stars and Stripes USNI News The War Zone defensemirror.com
Sources Tracked
13
First Seen
2025-11-13T08:31:55.524435-08:00
Latest Update
2025-11-18T18:48:22.747743-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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