Hayabusa-class

Summary

Description

The Hayabusa class refers to a series of guided missile patrol boats utilized by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), with a total of six vessels constructed between 2002 and 2004. These boats were an evolution of the earlier PG 1-go class hydrofoil missile boats that were built from 1993 to 1995, addressing the shortcomings of the previous design. The development of the Hayabusa class was partly in response to an encounter with a North Korean spy ship off the Noto Peninsula, prompting the inclusion of two ships from this class in the 1999 fiscal year plan.

The design of the Hayabusa class embodied several improvements over its predecessors. With a displacement four times larger than the PG 1-go class, the boats boast enhanced seaworthiness. Despite challenges, their maximum speed was increased to bolster ship interception capabilities. When deliberating between double-hull and single-hull configurations, the single-hull design prevailed, optimizing both hull strength and sea handling. With a slender and elongated V-shaped hull, the boats achieved higher hull speed and stability at elevated speeds. Additional stealth features were embedded in the design, including a radar signature-mitigating sloped superstructure, based on computer simulation data. The boats were also equipped with a stealth-adapted tripod mast and a 76 mm gun.

The propulsion system consists of three LM500-G07 gas turbine engines, produced under a licensing agreement with General Electric by Ishikawajima-Harima. These robust engines furnish the primary thrust for the Hayabusa class boats.

In terms of armament, the main weapons include a dual SSM-1B ship-to-ship missile launcher positioned at the stern and an Otobreda 76 mm gun located at the front deck. Complementing these are two 12.7 mm M2 machine guns mounted behind the bridge. The Hayabusa class leverages the OYQ-8B Tactical Data Processing System for weapons control, featuring a less sizable but significantly more efficient AN/UYK-44 computer, compared to the prior AN/UYK-20 model. The system's capability extends to supporting the Link 11 data link, unlike the outdated OYQ-5 and UYK-20 system. This enhancement facilitates the boats' integration into the broader Maritime Operation Force System of the Self-Defense Forces, improving data sharing with other ships and aircraft for both offensive and defensive operations.

Technical specifications