JS Aki
JS Aki (AOS-5203) is a Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
JS Aki being launched on 17 January 2020 | |
History | |
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Japan | |
Name: |
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Namesake: | Aki |
Ordered: | 1 February 2018 |
Builder: | Mitsui, Tamano |
Laid down: | October 2018 |
Launched: | 15 January 2020 |
Commissioned: | Expected, March 2021 |
Identification: | Pennant number: AOS-5203 |
Status: | Fitting out |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship |
Displacement: | 2,850–3,800 long tons (2,896–3,861 t) full load |
Length: | 67.0 m (219.8 ft) |
Beam: | 29.9 m (98 ft) |
Draft: | 7.5 m (25 ft) |
Propulsion: |
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Speed: | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
Complement: | 40 |
Sensors and processing systems: |
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Aviation facilities: | Helipad |
Development and design
Hibiki-class vessels have a beam of 30 metres (98 ft 5 in), a top speed of 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph), and a standard range of 3,800 nautical miles (7,000 km; 4,400 mi).[1] Each vessel has a crew of 40, including five American civilian technicians, and a flight deck for helicopters to operate off of.[2][3] They are able to deploy on station for 90 days.[3]
The vessels have an AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS), which is installed in the United States.[4][3] Data from the sensors is relayed through the Defense Satellite Communications System, and processed and shared with the United States.[3] The data is fed into the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System.[5]
Propulsion is provided by four Mitsubishi S6U-MPTK diesel electric engines.[6]
Construction and career
Aki was laid down in October 2018 at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Tamano and launched on 15 January 2020. She's expected to be commissioned in March 2021.
References
- Jane, Frederick Thomas (2010). Jane's Fighting Ships. S. Low, Marston & Company. p. 433. ISBN 978-0-7106-2920-3.
- Dominguez, Gabriel (3 February 2020). "Japan launches third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". Jane's Information Group.
- Graham, Euan (16 November 2005). Japan's Sea Lane Security: A Matter of Life and Death?. Routledge. p. 404. ISBN 978-1-134-25091-2.
- "AOS Hibiki Class". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017.
- War is Boring (4 July 2014). "Japan's Ears on the Sea". Medium. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017.
- "AOS Hibiki Class". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.