In late 2024, the CCP loudly announced the launch of the 076 amphibious assault ship, but it still needs testing before it can be put into service. The CCP army is in a state of chaos and urgently needs a boost. The premature disclosure of the installation of electromagnetic catapults and recovery barrier cables on the 076 immediately caused an uproar among the CCP’s military enthusiasts. However, the 076 amphibious assault ship is mainly an imitation of the US military’s amphibious assault ship, unable to carry fighter jets and has to use drones as substitutes, highlighting the military gap between China and the US.
The US currently has two of its newest America-class amphibious assault ships equipped with F-35B fighter jets, which can carry up to 20 aircraft. These ships can transform into light aircraft carriers and are stationed in the Pacific Command area. The America (LHA 6) is stationed in Japan, while the Tripoli (LHA 7) is deployed dynamically. The third ship is expected to enter service this year.
The US also has seven Wasp-class amphibious assault ships equipped with AV-8B Harrier fighter jets, which can take off and land vertically on deck. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ships deployed in the Pacific Command area have also begun to be equipped with the fifth-generation F-35B stealth fighter. The Boxer (LHD 4) of the Wasp-class was deployed in the western Pacific in 2024, partially taking on the role of an aircraft carrier, as two US carriers deployed in the western Pacific were subsequently repositioned to the Middle East.
China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship imitates the US military’s amphibious assault ship, with a displacement of around 40,000 tons and a flat deck. However, China’s various helicopters have not been fully equipped yet, and the biggest flaw is the lack of fighter jets capable of short take-offs and vertical landings. Compared to the US amphibious assault ships, China lacks about 40 years of relevant experience.
In terms of the fighter aircraft on amphibious assault ships, it can be said that China is at least 40 years behind the US, making it difficult to bridge the gap in the short term.
In November 2024, China’s J-35 fighter jet made a high-profile appearance and claimed to be in line to become a carrier-based aircraft. However, it was not disclosed whether there would also be a vertical takeoff and landing version. On December 27, 2024, the 076 amphibious assault ship was launched with the catapult installed near the edge of the deck. It is estimated that it can only launch drones due to the difficulty and risk of operating manned aircraft. The vertical takeoff and landing version of the J-35 is likely to be stranded.
Although the J-35 copied the US F-35A or F-35C, it is difficult to replicate the F-35B with vertical takeoff and landing technology. The 076, unable to wait for the J-35, can only use drones as a substitute. However, the lighter weight drones still cannot perform short takeoffs and vertical landings, requiring catapults and recovery barrier cables. This is a choice made out of necessity, but China’s alternative propaganda avoids the major flaws and tries to hype up the 076 amphibious assault ship as the “first unmanned aerial vehicle carrier.”
China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship has already commissioned three ships, primarily to compensate for the serious lack of large landing ships. With only a flat deck for helicopter takeoffs and landings, they cannot participate in naval battles and are cautious about competing against the US military.
After the maiden voyage of China’s first 076 amphibious assault ship, it claimed that it could carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, amphibious equipment, etc. Hong Kong pro-CCP media mentioned that the 076 could potentially carry Rainbow and Wing Loong series drones in the future, quoting Chinese military enthusiasts as saying: if the various attack and reconnaissance drones at the Zhuhai Airshow can take off from the 076 using electromagnetic catapults, this amphibious assault ship will become the world’s first “unmanned aerial vehicle aircraft carrier.”
It is also claimed that the 076 can provide all-round, all-weather situational awareness capabilities for aircraft carriers in a “battle of the oceans,” supplementing the lack of carrier-based fixed-wing early warning aircraft; and can provide rapid fire support and strike capabilities at any time.
Although the tonnage of the 076 amphibious assault ship is slightly larger than the 075, overall, it continues to mimic the US amphibious assault ships, adding catapults and arresting cables to launch certain drones, and is touted as capable of engaging in a “battle of the oceans” with the US military. However, the Chinese military enthusiasts also exposed the deficiencies in China’s aircraft carrier combat capabilities, pointing out issues with early warning aircraft, but dare not mention the crucial lack of carrier-based fighter jet strike capabilities, and instead emphasize that the 076’s drones may compensate for this.
Without fighter jets on board, the 076 cannot transform into a light carrier like the US amphibious assault ships, and solely relying on drones to try to engage in a “battle of the oceans” with the US fleet and prevent US reinforcements from reaching Taiwan is unrealistic.
Recently, Musk has criticized the F-35 fighter jet, stating that drones are the future, sparking much debate. Currently, the performance of various drones, especially large drones, in the world still lags far behind that of the F-35. Although China has imitated various drones of the US military, there is a significant performance gap, and they cannot replace manned fighter jets.
The Attack-11 is probably the preferred drone for the 076 amphibious assault ship. The Attack-11 bears a striking resemblance to the US military’s X-47B drone. The X-47B was a carrier-based drone developed by the US military, first flown in 2011, successfully conducting carrier landing tests in 2013, but it was later canceled. China’s Attack-11 drone made its debut at a military parade in Beijing in 2019. In 2022, China claimed that the Attack-11 can be paired with the J-20, similar to the loyal drone of the US’s fifth-generation fighter.
The Attack-11 is 12.2 meters long, with a wingspan of 14.4 meters, a height of 2.7 meters, boasting an internal bomb bay capable of carrying 2,000 kilograms of weapons. However, it is estimated that only small bombs can be carried, making it difficult to carry large long-range missiles, limiting its effectiveness in naval battles.
The speed of the US military’s X-47B drone can reach 0.9 Mach, but China’s engines are relatively backward, and it is feared that the Attack-11 will not achieve a similar speed, making it unable to rapidly approach targets, finding it difficult to penetrate the US’s Aegis defense system; its stealth capabilities have yet to be confirmed. The Attack-11 is perhaps China’s best drone at present, estimated to be expensive, not a one-time use item, and requiring recovery and reuse, which is why the 076 is equipped with arresting cables.
The Wing Loong drone may be another option. From Wing Loong-1, Wing Loong-2 to Wing Loong-3, and then to Wing Loong-10, these have not been able to escape the outline of the US MQ-4 or MQ-9 drones.
The Wing Loong-2 is 11 meters long, with a wingspan of 20.5 meters, a height of 4.1 meters, and a maximum speed of 370 kilometers per hour, claiming to carry up to 480 kilograms of weapons, including small bombs and air-to-ground missiles. The performance of the Wing Loong-2 is mediocre, but due to its relatively cheap price, it has secured some orders from the Middle East and Africa, and has participated in actual combat. However, it has suffered many losses with a low rate of success, resulting in fewer subsequent orders.
The latest improved Wing Loong-10 drone has a speed increase to 620 kilometers per hour, still unable to match fighter jets in speed; the effective payload has not been increased, only capable of carrying small bombs and light air-to-ground missiles of 50 to 100 kilograms, making it difficult to participate in naval battles.
China’s TB-001 Twin-Tail Scorpion drone may be a third option, imitating an early experimental US drone and has crossed the Miyako Strait multiple times. The latest improved TB-001 model has added a third engine, further increasing range and payload to enable both reconnaissance and attack functions; claiming to be able to carry 1,500 kilograms of weapons, including 250 kilograms bombs, but its speed may only exceed 300 kilometers per hour.
The 076 may also carry some reconnaissance drones, such as the Wu Zhen-7 and Rainbow-7, but they lack attack capabilities even more.
The speeds of these drones cannot be compared with fighter jets, making them unable to evade air defense systems and potentially be shot down by fighter jets from the US and its allies; in addition, their limited payload is insufficient for maritime aerial combat and airstrikes. China’s military cares little for human life, and developing drones is because these drones can fly farther than fighter jets; of course, developing new projects also means opportunities for more corruption.
These drones have a longer range than fighter jets, taking off from the mainland’s coast and reaching beyond the first island chain. Placing them on the 076 amphibious assault ship can enable them to reach farther, but due to performance limitations, their actual combat effectiveness is minimal, and the mother ship faces a significant risk.
The name “unmanned aircraft carrier” may sound good for the 076, but if truly deployed beyond the first island chain, it means sending the unmanned aircraft control center to the front lines, undoubtedly making it a major target for the US and coalition forces, facing enormous risks.
In the July 2024 “Rim of the Pacific” military exercise, the US and allied forces sank the retired amphibious assault ship Lava in a simulated attack on China’s amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers.
If the 076 releases drones beyond the first island chain, real-time control is required for launch and recovery; however, should the 076’s two islands be damaged from anti-ship missile attacks, the drones would likely become useless. If hit by precision-guided bombs dropped by US fighter jets or torpedoes launched by submarines, the entire ship would be destroyed.
Another key issue is whether the 076 can effectively control long-range flying drones. If the drones lose control due to US electronic interference, all previous efforts will be in vain. This is currently the biggest obstacle and risk in the world for the application of high-performance, high-cost large drones.
Even if the 076 can release some low-cost, consumable drones, they still need real-time control. If China insists on deploying the 076 beyond the first island chain to confront the US military, it will face the imminent risk of being sunk.
During peacetime, the US amphibious assault ships carry six fighter jets, but during amphibious operations, they switch to maximum helicopter capacity. With a strong maritime and air advantage, the US can provide sufficient ground attack firepower, allowing the amphibious assault ship to focus solely on landing combat, with helicopters rapidly dropping troops behind enemy lines. China’s 075 and 076 amphibious assault ships aim to emulate the US but lack fast-flying helicopters like the MV-22B and heavy-lift helicopters like the CH-53, with the most critical factor being the difficulty of obtaining effective sea and air support.
Chinese warships have small-caliber guns with limited range and fear Taiwan’s anti-ship missiles, making it difficult to bombard beachhead positions. Chinese fighter jets and bombers dare not approach Taiwan’s air defense network, unable to effectively conduct air raids. China’s amphibious forces can only solve their own need for attack firepower against shore positions, and the 076 carrying drones may have this in mind as well.
If the drones carried by the 076 are used against Taiwan, it would be a redundant effort, as all large and medium drones can take off from the Chinese coast, making it unnecessary to place them on the 076 amphibious assault ship. Furthermore, the 076 also fears Taiwan’s anti-ship missiles and cannot stray too close as the drones will not save much on travel distance.
Even if the 076 can launch some drones, and some can reach the beachhead and drop small bombs, their effectiveness is limited, with little capability to destroy fortified positions. The operation of launching and recovering drones on the amphibious assault ship, in conjunction with helicopter landings, may interfere with each other in actual combat situations. The designers should be aware of this, hence placing the catapult on one side of the deck, trying to minimize interference, but the problem is not truly resolved, simultaneously operating drones and helicopters makes it prone to confusion and potential serious accidents.
The design of the 076 amphibious assault ship seems more like a product of bureaucratic decision-making in the Chinese military. It superficially appears to cover various aspects or create the gimmick of an “unmanned aircraft carrier,” but in reality, it is more like a “mixture of incongruities.” Without usable fighter jets, the 076 fully exposes the weakness in China’s aviation industry, with a significant shift from plagiarizing Russian jets to American ones, China’s boasts fail to mask the enormous gap in equipment performance and operational experience compared to the US military.