Chinese aviation training ship Shichang

Shichang (82) is China's first aviation ship. It primarily serves as a training ship in the People's Liberation Army Navy, helicopter launch vehicle, and medical treatment facility. The ship is named after Captain Deng Shichang, a Qing Dynasty naval officer in Imperial Chinese Navy who died in a naval battle fight between Chinese and Japanese navies during the First Sino-Japanese War.

During various drills and war games conducted, it is revealed that Shichang was not adequate enough to train weaponry operating crews because the lack of armaments of the ship. However, the ship was adequate enough for providing sufficient training for all other crews who are not specialized in weaponry. The layout of the ship is very similar to that of RFA Argus, enabling it to perform missions as a helicopter training ship and a helicopter support ship.

The modular design of the ship incorporates containerized modules used to expand its mission. For example, more trainees can be accommodated when more containers used for housing and training are added. The medical capability is not usually present, but this capability can be added rapidly when containerized field hospital is added.