China's Type 076 carrier seen with electromagnetic launch drones

Recent high-resolution images from Shanghai reveal China’s significant advancement in ship-based unmanned combat aviation, showing multiple stealthy drone airframes docked near the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s new Type 076 amphibious assault ship, Sichuan. These drones, featuring swept wings, low-observable designs, and nose landing gear equipped with catapult launch bars, indicate they are designed for electromagnetic launch systems rather than conventional runways. The close proximity of these drones to the Type 076 suggests imminent deck-based trials, marking a shift from conceptual designs to real-world testing of carrier-launched unmanned combat drones. Additionally, the presence of a navalized Wing Loong-type drone alongside stealthier models points to a mixed unmanned air wing concept, potentially combining surveillance, strike, and support roles from a single ship. Notably, several large eight-wheeled trucks equipped with complex electrical systems and catapult mechanisms were observed, likely serving as mobile electromagnetic launch platforms. This modular truck-mounted system could enable drone