Aso-class patrol vessel

The Aso-class patrol vessel is a class of PL type patrol vessel of the Japan Coast Guard. PL stands for Patrol vessel Large, and the class is named after Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan.

Dewa (PL-42)
Class overview
Name: Aso class
Builders: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Universal Shipbuilding Corporation
Operators: Japan Coast Guard
Preceded by: Ojika class
Succeeded by: Hateruma class
Built: 2002–2006
In commission: 2005–present
Completed: 3
Active: 3
General characteristics
Type: 1,000 ton-class PL (Patrol vessel, Large)
Tonnage: 770 GT
Length: 79.0 m (259 ft 2 in)
Beam: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
Depth: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
Propulsion:
Speed: 30+ knots
Complement: 30
Armament: One Bofors 40 mm L/70 gun with optical FCS
Armour: Ballistic protection over certain areas

This class is one of the new patrol vessel classes to intercept spy boats of DPRK. These classes are called "高速高機能大型巡視船", High-speed, high-functionality patrol vessel, large. Having Bofors 40 mm L/70 autocannon with fire-control system, this class is safely able to deal with heavily armed spy boats of DPRK which intrude into Japanese waters. The hull of this class is bulletproof in case of close-range firefights.

In the back of the bridge's side, this class has display devices that can be used to instruct other ships to stop even at nighttime. And on the bridge superstructure, this class is equipped with the LIDAR system to acquire targets with high accuracy. At the same time, this system enables them to perform search and rescue missions more safely.

Ships in the class

Ships in the class
Pennant numberShip nameBuilderCommissionDecommissionHomeport
PL41AsoMitsubishi Heavy Industries15 March 2005Fukuoka
PL42DewaUniversal Shipbuilding Corporation12 April 2006Akita
PL43HakusanKanazawa

See also

References

    Future reading

    • "Ships of Japan Coast Guard". Ships of the World. Kaijinn-sha (692): 51. July 2008.
    • Shigehiro Sakamoto (July 2008). "60th Anniversary of JCG: For near future". Ships of the World. Kaijinn-sha (692): 132–137.
    • Yoshifumi Mayama (July 2008). "60th Anniversary of JCG: Technical history of its ship". Ships of the World. Kaijinn-sha (692): 138–143.


    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.