JS ''Kaga''

JS Kaga (DDH-184) in August 2015
History
Japan
Name: JS Kaga
Ordered: 2010
Laid down: 7 October 2013
Launched: 27 August 2015
Commissioned: 22 March 2017
Identification:
General characteristics
Class and type: Izumo-class helicopter destroyer
Displacement:
  • 19,500 long tons (19,800 t) standard;
  • 27,000 long tons (27,000 t) full load
Length: 248 m (814 ft)
Beam: 38 m (125 ft)
Draft: 7.5 m (25 ft)
Propulsion:
Speed: more than 30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • OYQ-12 combat direction system
  • FCS-3 fire control system
  • OPS-50 AESA radar
  • OPS-28 surface-search radar
  • OQQ-23 bow sonar
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
  • NOLQ-3D-1 EW suite
  • Mark 36 SRBOC
  • Anti-torpedo mobile decoy (MOD)
  • Floating acoustic jammer (FAJ)
Armament:
Aircraft carried:
  • 7 ASW helicopters and 2 SAR helicopters
  • 28 aircraft maximum

JS Kaga (DDH-184) is a helicopter carrier (officially classified by Japan as a helicopter destroyer) and the second constructed ship in the Izumo class of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF).[1][2][3] Her namesake arises from Kaga Province (加賀国, Kaga no kuni) in present-day Ishikawa Prefecture.

The ship bears the same name, and almost the same size in length, as aircraft carrier Kaga, which served in the Imperial Japanese navy in WWII and led the attack on Pearl Harbor. The original Kaga was sunk in June 1942 near Midway Atoll.

Construction

Kaga is intended to replace the aging Shirane-class destroyer Kurama, based on the schedule outlined within the 23 Mid-term Defence Capability Maintenance Plan to construct a 19,500 ton helicopter destroyer. Construction began at the Yokohama plant of Japan Marine United on 7 October 2013, and the ship was launched on 27 August 2015, with plans for commission in March 2017.[4] Construction of the ship cost 115.5 billion yen (~1 billion $).[5][6]

Characteristics

Aircraft carried

The ship can host up to 28 aircraft,[7] or 14 larger aircraft.[8] However, only 7 anti-submarine warfare helicopters and 2 search and rescue helicopters are planned for the initial aircraft complement. For other operations, 400 troops and 50 3.5-ton trucks (or equivalent equipment) can also be carried. The flight deck has 5 helicopter landing spots that allow simultaneous landings or take-offs.

In 2010, Forecast International reported that some design features were intended to support fixed wing aircraft such as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II;[9] although neither the Ministry of Defense nor the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force have mentioned the possibility of introducing fixed-wing aircraft. The ship has neither a "ski-jump" nor a catapult, typical features for launching fixed-wing aircraft.[10] If Izumo-class ships were to operate fixed-wing aircraft, it would be limited to STOVL (short take-off, vertical landing) aircraft, such as the F-35B.[11]

Air-defense

The ship is equipped with 2 Phalanx CIWS and 2 SeaRAM for her defense.[12]

Operational history

The Kaga will tour the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean in 2018 in order to bolster Japan's presence in geostrategic waters, according to press reports.[13]

Photos

References

  1. ↑ "海自のヘリコプター搭載護衛艦、「かが」と命名". Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). August 27, 2015.
  2. ↑ "新護衛艦「かが」：旧日本海軍の空母「加賀」　その違いは". Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). August 27, 2015.
  3. ↑ Sam LaGrone (August 27, 2015). "Japan Launches Latest Helicopter Carrier". United States Naval Institute.
  4. ↑ "海自最大の護衛艦「かが」進水　ヘリ９機を同時運用". Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). August 27, 2015.
  5. ↑ 平成24年度予算の概要 防衛省、2頁
  6. ↑ 平成24年度防衛関係予算のポイント 財務省、10頁
  7. ↑ http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/22ddh.htm
  8. ↑ Hardy, James (25 March 2015). "Japan commissions helicopter carrier Izumo". janes.com. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  9. ↑ Forecast International (21 June 2010). "Details of New Japanese 'Helicopter Destroyer'". Defensetalk.
  10. ↑ Holm, Erik. "Japan launches biggest warship since WW2" (in Danish). Ingeniøren, 12 August 2013. Accessed: 12 August 2013.
  11. ↑ Does the Izumo Represent Japan Crossing the “Offensive” Rubicon? Newpacificinstitute.com, 13 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "ＩＨＩＭＵ、防衛省から平成２２年度計画ヘリコプター搭載護衛艦を受注". Nikkei Shimbun. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  13. ↑ Kubo, Nobuhiro; Kelly, Tim (July 4, 2018). Birsel, Robert, ed. "Exclusive: Japanese helicopter carrier to tour South China Sea, Indian Ocean for two months". Reuters. Japan will send a large helicopter carrier to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean for a second straight year as it looks to bolster its presence in the strategic maritime region with annual tours, two Japanese officials said.
  • Slavin, Erik (August 28, 2015). "Japan launches flat-top destroyer Kaga, strengthening its fleet". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
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