The lead ship of this class was constructed at Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, with an estimated launch date of early 2025.[2] The lead ship was launched on 27 December 2024, with pennant number 51 and name Sichuan.[9][10][11][12]
The Type 076 has a full-length flight deck, an internal hangar, two large elevators on both sides, and one small elevator at the front deck section.[1][5] The ship is intended to operate helicopters and UCAVs, or optionally manned aircraft.[1][5][6][8] The aircraft, such as Guizhou WZ-7, Hongdu GJ-11, and Flying Dragon-2 UCAVs[5] can be launched via an electromagnetic catapult similar in size to the one mounted on the Type 003 aircraft carrier.[1][6] An arrestor is fitted on the flight deck to recover the aircraft.[13] A floodable well deck is located at its stern, capable of launching amphibious vehicles for landing operations.[14]
The main propulsion of the class appears to employ a gas-turbine setup; for this reason, the flight decks of the ships will have a twin-island configuration.[2][15] The twin island superstructures allow one island dedicated to navigation, while the other one focusing on flight operations.[14] Multiple self-defense and countermeasure systems are mounted around the ship, including three Type 1130 close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets, three HQ-10 short-range missile defense systems, and four countermeasure launchers loaded with flares, chaff, and active decoys.[14]
Type 076 is larger than the previous class, the Type 075 amphibious assault ship.[14] The overall tonnage of the ship was estimated as 50,000 t (49,000 long tons) at full displacement by the Center for Strategic and International Studies,[1] while Chinese state media state the ship has a displacement of "above 40,000 t (39,000 long tons)".[16]
