Type 726

History

The Type 726 is a standard air cushion (LCAC) landing craft used by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The service currently has about six in operation and another five under construction (2018).

The first devices were identified as early as 2007 and commissioning was assumed to start in 2010. The ship was built at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, China.

The purpose of LCAC in modern warfare is to directly support amphibious-aware "ship-to-shore" landing operations and to provide a route to bring combat-ready troops, armored vehicles, or supplies ashore in the shortest possible time (usually in violent under fire). This requires a robust platform capable of operating in shallow draught coastal areas, and the establishment of beachheads is critical to maritime military operations as it provides a critical entry point for future inland operations.

The Type 726 fills this role in PLAN's inventory, with all major military powers in the world using some version of the LCAC concept in modern naval doctrine.

Under normal load, the Model 726 displaces 150 tons, and even 160 tons fully loaded. The vehicle can carry up to 70 armed soldiers (usually naval units) and 2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) or a single Main Battle Tank (MBT). Structurally, the vessel has a barrel length of 33 meters and a beam of 16.8 meters. 2 x gas turbines (UGT-6000 in Ukraine or QC-70 locally) for propulsion on water at an impressive 80 knots. A key capability is that even after landing, the Type 726 can continue to move along the coast, easily escaping back to sea for supplies.

The normal operations team consists of five employees.

Self-defense is provided by a machine gun assembly consisting of 2 x 14.5mm Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) and 2 x 7.62mm Medium Machine Guns (MMG).

The arrangement of this LCAC is the same as most other LCACs: the wheelhouse is offset forward to the left side of the boat and the hull structure extends to the midship. The engine is designed to be mounted aft, consisting of the aforementioned gas turbine driving a six-blade ducted fan.

Along the starboard side of the boat, a hull structure and engine fittings are replicated. This allows the centerline of the ship to be used for cargo or infantry. Loading ramps are located in the bow and stern for quick loading and reloading of vehicles.

The vehicle sits on an air cushion created by the engine and is covered with a thick layer of resistant material.

Despite its size, the LCAC is highly maneuverable and versatile, and the Yuzhao-class Type 071 Landing Platform Dock (LPD) can carry four. This would allow a single warship to release four LCACs, each equipped with a main battle tank, for a total of six armored personnel carriers, or 280 marines, to the front.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing