Hyuga-class

Summary

Description

The Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer is a class of helicopter carrier built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), with two such ships constructed: Hyūga and Ise. These vessels were the largest constructed for the Japanese navy since World War II. Labelled under JMSDF's terminology as escort ships or destroyers, their profile is akin to light aircraft carriers and comparable to those like Italy's Giuseppe Garibaldi and Spain's Príncipe de Asturias.

This class, intended to originally replace the older Shirane-class helicopter destroyers, was succeeded by the larger Izumo class, with the first ship commissioned in March 2015. Development names for Hyūga and Ise were "16DDH" and "18DDH", correlating with the 16th and 18th years of the Heisei era when they were provisionally named.

Design-wise, the Hyūga class specializes in anti-submarine warfare, deploying SH-60K anti-submarine helicopters, and possesses advanced command-and-control capabilities to assume flagship roles. For defense, they are equipped with a 16-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) with Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles and a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System. ATECS command system and FCS-3 fire control with active electronically scanned array radar system further enrich their operational capabilities. Despite a reported official complement of helicopters, they can accommodate up to 18-24 H-60 class helicopters or other variations and have been utilized to operate JGSDF Fuji AH-64D Apache attack helicopters in joint exercises. Speculation around potential modifications indicates a future ability to operate VTOL/STOVL fixed-wing aircraft such as Harrier jump jets or F-35 Lightning IIs.

The Hyūga class ships have participated in various operations, including relief efforts in response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami with Hyūga providing immediate search and rescue support off the Miyagi prefecture coast and Ise aiding in relief operations upon commissioning. The ship Ise also took part in humanitarian aid missions following Super-Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, delivering supplies to areas severed by the storm.

Technical specifications