Hyuga class

Helicopter carrier



The Hyuga class helicopter carriers are the largest combatant ships, built in Japan since the WWII

Entered service 2009
Crew 360 men
Aircrew ?
Flag staff ?
Marines ?
Sea endurance ?
Dimensions and displacement
Length 197 m
Beam 33 m
Draught 7 m
Flight deck length ?
Flight deck width ?
Hangar deck length ?
Displacement, standard 13 500 tons
Displacement, full load 18 000 tons
Propulsion and speed
Speed over 30 knots
Gas turbines 4 x LM2500, developing 100 000 hp
Aircraft
Fixed wing -
Helicopters 11 x CH-47 Chinook
Armament
Missiles 16-cell VLS for ESSM surface-to-air missiles or ASROC anti-submarine missiles
Artillery 2 x 20-mm Phalanx CIWS
Torpedoes 2 x triple 324-mm torpedo tubes





The Hyuga class helicopter carrier is named after the Imperial Japanese Navy Ise class battleship Hyuga. At least three ships of this class are planned. Construction of the first ship was started in 2006 and was commissioned in 2009. The second ship entered service in 2011. This class will provide the Maritime Self-Defense Force with greater force projection capability.

The Hyuga class warships replaced the Haruna classASW destroyers. Primary mission for these new helicopter carriers is anti-submarine warfare. Fore a couple of years these warships were the largest combatants with the Marine Self-Defense Force until even larger Izumo classhelicopter carriers were built.

The Hyuga class ships are called as helicopter destroyers in Japan, for political reasons. It is against constitution to operate what is referred as offensive weapons and exceeds necessary level of self-defense. The helicopter destroyer classification is not correct, as these ships are significantly larger than destroyers, have a full-length flight deck and relatively large air wing.

These ships resemble light aircraft carriers, such as the Royal Navy's Invincible class. There are two elevators and enclosed hangar. Japan claims that usual air wing will consists of three SH-60K for ASW and one MCH-101 for mine warfare. However these ships can carry up to 11Chinooks or quite a few more smaller helicopters.

Currently these warships are not capable of operating fixed-wing aircraft, as they lack a ski-jump bow and other equipment. Nevertheless they needs only little modification and may be outfitted with V/STOL aircraft in the future.

The Hyuga helicopter carrier is armed with a single 16-cell Mk.41 vertical launch system with a mix of ESSM surface-to-air missiles and ASROC anti-submarine missiles. Several missiles can be guided simultaneously to various incoming threats.

Other weapons include two Phalanx CIWS for self-defense and two triple 324-mm torpedo tubes.

Ships have enhanced command and control capabilities. They can serve as flagships of the JMSDF. The Hyuga class has no provision for amphibious assault, however it is clear that these ships could carry far more that 350 naval crew. Marine troop capabilities are not being published for political reasons.

These helicopter carriers are powered by combined gas turbine and gas (COGAG) propulsion. It is fitted with four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, developing 25 000 hp each. These drive two shafts.



Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
Hyuga (DDH 181) 2006 2007 2009

active, in service
Ise (DDH 182) 2008 2009 2011

active, in service
? ? ? ?

planned