China’s first Type 075 LHD helicopter carrier begins Sea Trials

China’s first Type 075 landing helicopter dock (LHD)  began its first sea trials today

Development work on Type 075 helicopter carriers began in 2011. The first and second ships of the class were launched in September 2019 and April 2020 respectively.

New images being circulated on Twitter shows the first ship being pulled away by a tug boat from its pier. The second ship was left behind.

Ignition tests of the boat is said to have taken place in May, after fitting out stage. It follows float-out/launching of a vessel and precedes sea trials.

In July, China revealed a helicopter (likely Z-8) and an unmanned reconnaissance helicopter model on the ship’s deck which resembled the AR500C. It is a new drone that was test-flown for the first time on May 20.

The displacement of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship (AAS) is expected to be between 35,000 and 40,000 tons, nearly similar to that of the U.S. Navy's Wasp class amphibious assault ships.

Chinese media leaks reveal that the Type 075 AAS will can carry between 28 and 30 helicopters of various types, including the large Z-8, the smaller Z-9 utility and the Z-10 light attack helicopters.

Armaments aboard the 237 meter-long ship include two H/PJ-11 30 mm (1.2 in) close-in weapon systems and two HHQ-10 surface-to-air missiles that are developed from TY-90.