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Loyal Wingman Drone Spotted on China’s ‘Supersized’ Type 076 Amphibious Ship
SHANGHAI — In a development that confirms the shifting nature of naval power in the Pacific, new satellite imagery and leaked social media footage have revealed a "loyal wingman" style drone stationed on the deck of China’s massive Type 076 amphibious assault ship.
The Type 076, currently undergoing final outfitting at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, is no ordinary helicopter carrier. With its immense scale and a newly installed electromagnetic catapult (EMALS), the ship is officially transitioning into the world’s first dedicated "drone carrier."
The Mystery Aircraft: A Stealth Wingman
The drone spotted on deck bears a striking resemblance to the FH-97A, China’s answer to the U.S. "Ghost Bat" or the newly designated YFQ-48A Talon.
Key features of the spotted aircraft include:
Low-Observable Design: A sleek, tailless or V-tail configuration designed to minimize radar cross-section.
Jet Propulsion: Unlike the slower, propeller-driven drones common on older ships, this "loyal wingman" is built for high-subsonic speeds to keep pace with crewed fighters.
Modular Payload: Experts suggest these drones are designed for "sensor-fusion" missions—acting as forward scouts for the ship’s radar or carrying electronic warfare suites to jam enemy defenses before a landing.
Type 076: The "Supersized" Hybrid
The Type 076 is a significant evolution from the previous Type 075 class. It is estimated to displace nearly 45,000 to 50,000 tons, making it larger than the U.S. Navy’s America-class amphibious assault ships.
The inclusion of an EMALS catapult—technology previously reserved for full-sized aircraft carriers like the Fujian—is the "smoking gun" for China’s drone ambitions. It allows the ship to launch heavier, jet-powered UAVs like the stealthy CH-7 and the "loyal wingman" variants that require higher takeoff speeds than a traditional flat-top can provide.