Could the single fix-aircraft capable catapult on the 076 be a potential inefficient design flaw moving forward? I don't understand the logic of launching only one aircraft (J35) or drone at a time. How does bring about enough firepower for amphibious troops? Even with two catapults, that's firepower being doubled. Two J35s or one-J35-one-drone being launched at once make a lot more sense in terms of fire support and long-range strike. The current 076 reminds me of HMAS Melbourne. Even the tiny Clemenceau class had two.
Let's set the ground here that competent militaries design platforms with defined roles. ie. form will follow function.
Therefore, If our attempt to understand the workings of a platform doesn't make sense, the problem then isn't in the design of the platform but our understanding of what it is meant to do. The role it was designed for does not match the role we are projecting onto it.
As observed by yourself and stated by previous poster, the role of the Type 76 is unlikely to be that of a CVL. ie. It is unlikely to be asked on to generate alpha strikes or leaned on for sector, let alone theatre, air superiority.
Could the Type 76 possibly pull of a CVL "Lightning Carrier" concept? Possibly but as mentioned, the lack of a 2nd CAT means one failure and you cannot launch and you then have a big hole in whatever air sector you planned to cover with that Type 76 CVL. You also have all that wasted space that is the vehicle and well deck that is not able to support the enlarged air wing (which equates to ability to sustain high-tempo ops) and you really have a not-optimal situation of trying to get a platform to do something it was not designed for.
What can you achieve with a single EMCAT and a small deck?
If you take a page out of a similar platform like the USN America/Wasp class, then a typical air wing composition is just 6 F-35s. You are not going to achieve anything close to a CV role with that. What it can achieve is to provide organic CAS support to the embarked landing force, ala USMC MAGTF. So perhaps PLA is experimenting with a MAGTF concept? Given that there are no STOVL/F-35B/AV-8 analogs in PLA inventory, it has to go with a CAT approach to launching jets within that small deck footprint. The primary role of the Type 76 here then remains as an Amphib Assault platform with the embarked helo wing and well deck.
The other is that Naval ships with aviation facilities and a well deck are the most non-war capable and versatile platform in any navy. In OOW, they really shine in HADR roles in coastal regions. Consider why so many small navies have LPD/LHDs? Consider the not so recent 2004 Tsunami - The Republic of Singapore Navy LPDs performed a big role and iinm, shaped the RSN requirement on the future replacement amphib platform from just LPDs to now include a flat decked LHD.
What can a CAT equip flat deck contribute to a HADR ops? Probably MALE/HALE providing ISR and C3, which we can already see being used in inland disasters (eg. Earthquakes) in China. Helos could perform that role but they are not ideal due to short loiter time and high service requirements - embarked helos are better off doing what they excel at, delivering materials and evacuating people out of areas with little infrastructure remaining.
Also within the scope of OOW, consider the PLAN anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden. DDGs are not the ideal platform for these patrols. 90% of what is carried is overkill for pirates. On top of that, it's a big area to cover and sprinting to flash points at flank speed is sometimes a matter of luck as to whether you can get there in time. Helos help but again, the wear and tear is high and helo operations within a DDG/FFG footprint was never designed to support these kind of long term high-intensity usage. Putting a platform capable of launching MALE/HALE UCAV drone up is a nice, "cheap"(er) way of patrolling far flung places without having to send platforms that are not suited (solo DDG) or rare (CV).
I'm sure others can contribute other usage scenarios that will be suited to a single EMCAT, single deck LHA rather than keep harping on what it can't do.
