The new Chinese Type 076 large deck amphibious warfare ship is larger than the US Navy’s equivalent, and has a catapult for launching large drones
The US Navy is now producing the America class LHA, which is essentially a medium size aircraft carrier. At roughly 45,000 tons, it is larger than the World War II class Essex carriers that won the war in the Pacific.
The Type 076 Sichuan was just put into service by China. It is also about 45,000 tons but it is also wider. This is interesting because it gives more flight deck space. The America class is still built to the old width of the Panama Canal which is 106 feet.
The Type 076 is about 140 feet wide, which fits within the width of the new locks of the Panama Canal. Not sure why we’re still building ships to fit in the old smaller locks.
The Chinese ship also has a catapult and arresting gear to launch large drones, a new and unique capability the America class does not have.
The Chinese are now innovating beyond merely copying our ships. We need to pick up the pace.
They stole the catapult tech from us, ours is still in testing. They simply implemented it. FChina.