Since the PLAN has launched and is now testing its own indegenous LCAC, I thought it appropriate to have a seperate thread for these vessels since they will not only be embarked on , but eventually on a PLAN LHD shold they build the larger amphibious assault vessel with a well deck.
So, in conjunction with the building of the PLANs first LPD, the Type 071, Yuzhao Class LPD, the PLAN also embarked on designing and building their own landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) to go with it.
In 2008, a new, indegenous Chinese LCAC was observed. It is remarkably similar to the US LCAC, except the control house is on the port side of the vessel instead of the starboard side. In addition, the Chinese LCAC apppears a little smaller than the American LCAC.
These vessels appear to have four gas turbines to power them. It is not known whether those turbines are indigenous Chinese designs or based on Russian or Ukrainian technology
By 2010 up to four had been observed, but it is anticapted that more are building since the PLAN launched a second Yuzhao class LPD in 2010 and will likely launch a third in 2011. Since each LPD is supposedly capcable of carrying 3-4 LCACs it is anticpated that 10-12 will be built as a minimum. More if more LPDs are built, and even more if the anticpated PLAN LHD Class Amphibious Assault ship is constructed.
Current known specifications include:
Qty: 4 (more building)
Length: unknown
Beam: unknown
Displace: unknown
Propulsion:
- 4 gas turbines, 2 fan
Speed: 40 knots (est)
Crew: 4-5 est.
Armament:
- 2 x 12.7mm machine guns
- Potential man portaable AAMs
Here are some pics:
I have a seperate page for the vessels
...and they are compared side by side with the US NAvy's counterpart (along with all other amphibious vessels)
So, in conjunction with the building of the PLANs first LPD, the Type 071, Yuzhao Class LPD, the PLAN also embarked on designing and building their own landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) to go with it.
In 2008, a new, indegenous Chinese LCAC was observed. It is remarkably similar to the US LCAC, except the control house is on the port side of the vessel instead of the starboard side. In addition, the Chinese LCAC apppears a little smaller than the American LCAC.
These vessels appear to have four gas turbines to power them. It is not known whether those turbines are indigenous Chinese designs or based on Russian or Ukrainian technology
By 2010 up to four had been observed, but it is anticapted that more are building since the PLAN launched a second Yuzhao class LPD in 2010 and will likely launch a third in 2011. Since each LPD is supposedly capcable of carrying 3-4 LCACs it is anticpated that 10-12 will be built as a minimum. More if more LPDs are built, and even more if the anticpated PLAN LHD Class Amphibious Assault ship is constructed.
Current known specifications include:
Qty: 4 (more building)
Length: unknown
Beam: unknown
Displace: unknown
Propulsion:
- 4 gas turbines, 2 fan
Speed: 40 knots (est)
Crew: 4-5 est.
Armament:
- 2 x 12.7mm machine guns
- Potential man portaable AAMs
Here are some pics:
I have a seperate page for the vessels
...and they are compared side by side with the US NAvy's counterpart (along with all other amphibious vessels)