China has quietly launched the world’s first dedicated drone aircraft carrier. Hidden away in a shipyard on the Yangtze River, far from the major maritime hubs, this groundbreaking vessel represents a significant advancement in naval warfare technology. This revelation, reported by Naval News and analyzed with the expertise of J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, underscores China’s strategic shift towards unmanned military capabilities.
The drone carrier, launched in December 2022 but kept under wraps until now, marks China’s fourth aircraft carrier. Unlike its predecessors, this new vessel is specifically designed to operate fixed-wing drones, setting it apart from traditional aircraft carriers. This development highlights the increasing role of drones in modern naval operations, a trend that leading navies worldwide are beginning to embrace.
“It is immediately apparent that it is, in general arrangement, an aircraft carrier of some sort. It has a marked runaway running along the port [on the left side] with an island superstructure on the starboard [right] side,” the Naval News report said. “Beyond this, it is unusual in every respect. The hull is a widely spaced catamaran. While catamarans are often featured in aircraft carrier concepts because they allow a large deck area, no one has actually built one before.”
South China Morning Post
Specifications and Design
The drone carrier is notably smaller than standard aircraft carriers. Its flight deck is approximately one-third the length and half the width of a U.S. Navy or Chinese Navy (PLAN) supercarrier. For comparison, it is slightly shorter but wider than World War II-era escort carriers. The design features a straight deck, which is unconventional for modern aircraft carriers that typically utilize angled decks to facilitate simultaneous takeoffs and landings.
Satellite imagery reveals a wide-spaced catamaran hull, an unusual design choice that allows for a larger deck area but has never been implemented in an aircraft carrier before. The low flight deck height suggests a lack of a traditional hangar deck, implying that the carrier is not intended for high-tempo or prolonged flight operations. The deck can accommodate drones with wingspans of up to 20 meters (65 feet), such as Chinese equivalents of the Predator drone, but does not seem suited for regular manned aircraft.
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J. Michael Dahm notes that the Jiangsu Dayang Marine shipyard, where the carrier was built, has a history of constructing ships for the PLAN, including high-tech target barges and drone motherships. These vessels often simulate enemy forces in training exercises, known as ‘Electronic Blue Force’ operations. This new carrier may be designed to enhance these capabilities, providing a platform for testing and developing drone operations at sea.
“The shipyard where it is being built, Jiangsu Dayang Marine, has previously built simulated enemy ships for the (Chinese navy),” said J. Michael Dahm, a senior resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute. Dahm analysed the carrier in collaboration with Naval News. “China has an extensive programme of simulating Western and Western-leaning navies’ ships in its weapon testing programme, and its anti-ship ballistic missiles are tested on full-size outlines of US Navy aircraft carriers.”
South China Morning Post
The exact purpose of the drone carrier remains unclear. It could serve as an experimental platform to refine drone deployment techniques or as a specialized asset for China’s naval forces. Its unique design and capabilities indicate that it is not intended to mimic any existing Western ship, suggesting a novel approach to naval warfare.
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The introduction of this drone carrier could signify a major shift in naval strategy. Drones offer several advantages over traditional aircraft, including lower operational costs and reduced risk to human pilots. As drone technology continues to advance, dedicated drone carriers could become a common feature in navies around the world.
The drone carrier’s design suggests it could be used for various roles, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and potentially even offensive operations. Its ability to launch and recover drones at sea provides a significant tactical advantage, allowing for extended operational reach and flexibility.