"Japan's New "Hyuga"" Topic

The Imperial Japanese Navy ship "Hyuga" of WW2 was a combination battleship/carrier. The Japanese Naval Self-Defense Force has commissioned a new Hyuga (DDH-181) a helicopter carrier destroyer link

Wyatt

"First Japanes Helicopter Carrier"

I usually do not read articles with typos in the title. Sheesh.

Neat ship though. Almost the size of Soryu.

A carrier by any other name.

Reminds me of the RN's "Through-Deck Cruisers", known outside of the UK as STOVL carriers.

It's amazing the semantical games politicians love to play.

I think they just do it to try to prove to their constituents how intelligent they are, by developing ways around self-imposed, and non-sensical restrictions.

It is to be equipped with 11 SH-60K seahawks. Here is a interesting comparison
Seahawk length 19.75m Sea Harrier 14.2m
Seahawk wingspan 16.35m Harrier 7.6m
Seahawk height 5.2m Harrier 3.7m
Seahawk loaded wgt 8055kg Harrier 6374kg.

Anything structural or operational that could keep them from switching out the copters for Harriers? Other than their constitution that is.

Um – how about the constitution says they can't put planes on it – so they probably won't.

It must be a destroyer, it has vertical-launch anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles plus torpedo tubes. Nobody puts those on a carrier…

Wyatt

Has the JDSF ordered any F-35's and if so, in what configuration?

Looks like an F-35 carrier to me.

Of course, the aircraft will need to be renamed to something like "atmospheric parafoils", or "self-launching kites" in order to get around the rules. My personal favority would be "flying dragons" of course, but that might anger the Chinese, since they will be jealous that they didn't think of it first.

They are being purchased for the study of the migratory patterns of Albatri and Seagulls. Cannon and missile armament will be strictly for defensive purposes, in order to avoid catastrophic birdstrikes, and in case Godzilla, or other large reptiles get out of control and start smashing cities again.

"Um – how about the constitution says they can't put planes on it – so they probably won't".

That didn't stop them from building an aircraft carrier, so why would that keep the planes off, if needed?

Please, it's not a carrier, it's a Helicopter Destroyer. Get your nomenclature right. Sheesh!

:)

The constitution may prohibit carriers but if they buy VTOL or STOL jets for land based purposes and they just need to refuel on, without being based on, the helicopter destroyers, who's to fuss?

Maybe it is a new whale exploration platform?

We are a bunch of cynics ain't we?

But I guess I should add I fully support Japan building up a modern armed force. They have relied on the US shield for too long and I think they read the tea leaves that the US is not going to either want or be able to be the cop of the pacific.

The latest Foreign Policy has an interesting article on China-India naval relations in the Indian ocean. Likewise, I imagine Japan must be looking at the Sea of Japan as a very narrow gap right now.

Anything more probably should be in the Fez Azure.

Huh, I though that she was an LHD-type, but there's no mention of amphibious capabilities.

I figure Article 9 will only last as long as it takes for a DPRK missile test to drop short and land in Japanese territory.

Nice ship. The thing that jumped out at me was the crew size 340! Now that's a lot of automation….

Not necessarily: The crew of an OHIO-class SSBN runs about 180. there's not much automation on an OHIO, and a whole lot of sleep deprivation from that 6 on, 12 off schedule.

Hmm. By comparison HMS Invincible crew over 1,000. link

Now I know invincible has a different air complement but 1/3rd the crew size? Still pretty impressive.

Anything structural or operational that could keep them from switching out the copters for Harriers?

They'd probably have to reinforce the deck to handle the direct jet wash.

I tend to think it could handle a good few more helos in a pinch, too.
-Kle.

Um – how about the constitution says they can't put planes on it – so they probably won't.

Yeah, right until the PLAN commissions their first carrier.

Hmm. By comparison HMS Invincible crew over 1,000.

Sure, but Invincible is really old, now. A lot changes in 40 years.
-Kle.

Who says the deck isn't already reinforced against "unforseen wear and tear."

Before I read the article I was expecting something at least pretending not to be a carrier. . . but that picture is pretty clear to me and everyone else.

Pretty ship…who's gonna make us a miniature of her? :)

"The ship is operated by a crew of 340 sailors."

That almost certainly does not include the air group.

"Japan has clearly stated that the vessel has been restricted to operate helicopters only as Japan cannot possess offensive aircraft carriers under the pacifist constitution."

Hang a couple of Penguin missiles under a Seahawk and it can be quite offensive indeed.

"Hence, Hyuga is not equipped with offensive capabilities. Nevertheless, Hyuga is equipped with 16 Mk41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells for anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles…"

An anti-ship missile (probably Harpoon) doesn't count as offensive?

Interesting political smoke screen, but that's all it is- the ship is an aircraft carrier, albeit a small one, and will simply pave the way to larger and more capable ships down the road.

-Will

@ Top Gun Ace – sorry – the Irony Button was broken when I posted it!

With only 16 cells, I would not have a single missile that wasn't capable of AA attacks onboard, so the probability of carrying a Tomahawk (harpoons can't use the Mk41 VLS) is just about zero. Having a couple quad-packs of Super Sea Sparrows, however…

Fascinating! So, when do we see a 1/700 scale version of it?

Not only will there be the Hyuga-class helicopter carrier destroyers (nice verbal finagaling), but there will also be the Soryu-class submarines joining the fleet. Nice to see the ol' "samurai spirit" coming back into an increasingly unstable part of the world.

I'd give Tamiya a couple years, Dragon may be quicker.

Might not have to wait too long,if you game in 1/3000-1/2400.Viking Forge does a decent selection of modern Jap.
ships in 1/2400.They just released 3 very modern PLAN types.
My scale(1/3000)is pretty dead at the moment except for Denian Models.His latest releases have been excellent!The
new British AAW destroyer is great,really puts Navwar's
down.Ian has also released the ultra modern Chinese types.
His planned summer releases include the Franco/Italian
Horizons,the Indian Delhi,and modern Jap.AAW destroyer Atago.I figure the Hyuga should be up shortly as Ian has been doing quite a few minis for the far east navies lately.

David

Interested in seeing this in 1/6000

Remember, the JMSDF also has LSTs and LPHs. Since there's no mention of this Hyuga being a gator-freighter, it's basically going to be an ASW platform. After all, the Japanese know from personal experience what 'unrestricted submarine warfare' can do to a country that has limited natural resources.

Besides, who needs Penguins when you can hang 8 or 16 Hellfires on the Seachickens? Nothing says 'territorial enforcement' like an armed Helo dropping a boarding party onto an intruding ship.