China's first Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship to test Fighter Jet, Helicopter Landings in Next Trials

China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, has departed Shanghai for the South China Sea for cross-regional trials and training which will involve helicopter and fighter jet take-off and landing.

The South China Sea's complex climate and sea conditions provide an ideal setting to evaluate the vessel's propulsion and power systems, as well as helicopter operations such as takeoffs and landings, Zhang Junshe, Chinese military affairs expert, was quoted as saying by the Global Times.

Follow-on trials are likely to include integration exercises involving carrier-based aircraft, helicopters, and amphibious forces. Once all testing phases are complete, the ship is expected to be capable of entering service with combat effectiveness, Zhang said.

The current voyage can be seen as another long-range test ahead of the ship's formal commissioning. Previous sea trials were each designed to identify and resolve technical issues while refining overall performance prior to entering service.

The Sichuan amphibious assault ship of the PLA Navy has a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tons, featuring a dual-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck. It deploys electromagnetic catapult and arrested landing technologies, and can carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, amphibious equipment and other assets, according to Chinese media.

Although the Type 076 is primarily designed for amphibious landing missions, it differs from conventional amphibious assault ships in that it can operate fixed-wing aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter, giving it capabilities similar to those of larger aircraft carriers.