Hyūga class helicopter destroyer

Hyūga in 2007
Class overview
Builders:	IHI Marine United
Operators:	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by:	Haruna class
Building:	1
Planned:	2
Active:	1
General characteristics
Type:	Helicopter carrier
Displacement:	13,950 tons standard; 18,000 tons full load
Length:	197 m
Beam:	33 m
Draft:	7 m
Propulsion:	COGAG, two shafts, 100,000 hp
Speed:	30+ knots (56 km/h)
Complement:	360 (Hyuga) 371 (18DDH)
Sensors and processing systems:	ATECS command system FCS-3 fire control and air search radar OPS-20 surface search radar OQS-XX bow mounted sonar
Armament:	16 cells Mk 41 VLS 16 ESSM 12 ASROC 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 2 × triple 324 mm torpedo tubes 12.7mm MG
Aircraft carried:	Up to 11. Usual air wing is 3xSH-60K, 1xMCH-101
Aviation facilities:	Flight deck and enclosed hanger

The Hyūga-class helicopter carriers are a type of helicopter carrier (formally called helicopter destroyers (DDH) to comply with constitutional limitations) being built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).^[1][2] They are planned to replace the 7,000-ton Haruna-class destroyers currently in use. The new ships will be the largest combatant ship operated by Japan since the Imperial Japanese Navy was superseded by the JMSDF.^[1] The first ship in the class, the Hyūga, was commissioned Wednesday, March 18, 2009. It will be stationed in Yokosuka port, near Tokyo.^[3]

The Hyūga resembles a light aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship such as the Italian Navy's 13,850-ton Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Spanish Navy's 17,000-ton Principe de Asturias or the Royal Navy's 21,000-ton Invincible-class carriers.^[4] According to a PBS documentary, JS Hyūga is the "first Japanese aircraft carrier built since WWII."^[5]

The class' code-name (16DDH) derives from the Japanese calendar, specifically the 16th year of the Heisei reign (2004), when the provisional title was given.^[1]

Design and specifications

The Japanese Government's classification of the Hyūga class as destroyers has been met with some criticism. As the ships are larger than any previous destroyers and have a full-length flight deck and relatively large air wing, they have been compared to light aircraft carriers.^[1] Some media reports have labeled the ships aircraft carriers and it has been suggested that they represent an attempt by Japan to revive its naval aviation capabilities.^[6] The ships are limited in their capacity to carry helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of vertical liftoff, including Harriers and F-35 Lightning IIs, and modification would be required to install a HMS Invincible-like 12° bow ski-jump ramp and other equipment needed to operate aircraft with even larger liftoff loads.^[7][8] Defense News in the US reported shortly after Hyūga was launched that a Japanese defense analyst with close ties to the Tokyo government suggested the new warship will engage in operations beyond those involving simple helicopters, and may be outfitted with more advanced fighters in the future.^[9] Jane's Fighting Ships has classified the Hyūga class as helicopter carriers^[10] and GlobalSecurity.org states that they are helicopter destroyers.^[1]

The deck layout of Hyūga class ships

The ships' primary mission will be that of a anti-submarine warfare carrier, using the helicopters on board. They will also have enhanced command-and-control capabilities, allowing them to serve as flagships for the MSDF.^[1]

The ships will be able to carry up to eleven helicopters or Harriers, relying on a 16-cell VLS carrying the ESSM SAM, along with the Phalanx CIWS, for self-defense. They are also equipped with the ATECS command system and FCS-3 phased-array radar system.^[1]

Ships in the class

Construction of the first ship (Hyūga) was started in 2006. She was launched on 23 August 2007. At least one more ship in the class is planned,^[1] which was laid down in 2008.

Name

The name Hyūga (日向国; Hyūga -no kuni) was originally a name of an old province on the east coast of Kyūshū. The lead ship was named after the Ise-class battleship Hyūga of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was commissioned in 1918, and subsequently served in World War II. Following the Battle of Midway, the Hyuga was converted into a hybrid battleship/aircraft carrier in 1943. Its aft gun turrets and barbettes were replaced by a small flight deck and hangar deck that could launch a squadron of Yokosuka D4Y dive-bombers and Aichi E16A seaplanes.^[4]

Notes

References

• Herman, Arthur (2007-09-09). "Pacific armadas: growing Far East navies mean new challenges for U.S.". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/09092007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/pacific_armadas.htm?page=0. Retrieved on 2008-07-13. 
• Shaplen, Jason T.; James Laney (2007-12-31). "Washington's Eastern Sunset". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/cfr/world/20071101faessay_v86n6_shaplenlaney.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-13. 
• "Helicopter carrier commissioned: MSDF's largest combat vessel may raise concerns within Asia". The Japan Times Online. 2009-03-19. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090319a5.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-19. 

See also

• Constitution of Japan, 1947
• Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, 1947
• Classification terms, historic consequences:
  • Washington Naval Treaty, 1922
  • London Naval Treaty, 1930
  • Second London Naval Treaty, 1936

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hyuga class destroyers

• Polmar, Norman. "Japan Launches Carrier...Sorta," DefenseTech.org (blog). August 28, 2007.
• "Japan Hyuga class helicopter carrier," Military Photos.net (blog).
• "Japanese Aircraft Carrier Hyuga," Ships Nosatlgia.com (blog).
• (Japanese) Color Image (Ships of the World No.650 )
• (Japanese) Photos

v • d • e Current and future combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) DDH Destroyer Helicopter Hyūga · Shirane · Haruna DDG Guided-Missile Destroyer Atago · Kongō · Hatakaze · Tachikaze DD Destroyer 5000t · Takanami · Murasame · Asagiri · Hatsuyuki DE Destroyer Escort Abukuma · Yubari · Ishikari SS Submarine Sōryū · Oyashio · Harushio List of combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force