Kappa
Apr 1, 2009, 06:07
I do not yet have the ability to post links, but the information below is from Wikipedia. It should allow those interested to hunt up even better articles.
I don't see it getting a lot of publicity, even people I know in Japan hadn't heard of it, but the JMSDF commissioned its first postwar carrier on March 19.
OK, so it's a small one and not presently operating fixed wing aircraft, but it definitely represents a jump in power projection capability. Is there much talk of this in the region? Any particular thoughts?
7852
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 The new ships will be the largest combatant ship operated by Japan since the Imperial Japanese Navy was superseded by the JMSDF.[1] The first ship in the class, the Hyūga, was commissioned Wednesday, March 18, 2009.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 will be, "The first Japanese aircraft carrier built since WWII."[5]
. . .
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 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]
I don't see it getting a lot of publicity, even people I know in Japan hadn't heard of it, but the JMSDF commissioned its first postwar carrier on March 19.
OK, so it's a small one and not presently operating fixed wing aircraft, but it definitely represents a jump in power projection capability. Is there much talk of this in the region? Any particular thoughts?
7852
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 will be, "The first Japanese aircraft carrier built since WWII."[5]
. . .
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 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]