JS Aki
 JS Aki being launched on 17 January 2020
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Japan | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Aki |
| Ordered | 1 February 2018 |
| Builder | Mitsui, Tamano |
| Laid down | October 2018 |
| Launched | 15 January 2020 |
| Commissioned | 4 March 2021[1] |
| 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 |
|
| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
| Complement | 40 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Aviation facilities | Helipad |
JS Aki (AOS-5203) is a Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Development and design
[edit]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).[3] Each vessel has a crew of 40, including five American civilian technicians, and a flight deck for helicopters to operate off of.[4][5] They are able to deploy on station for 90 days.[5]
The vessels have an AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS), which is installed in the United States.[6][5] Data from the sensors is relayed through the Defense Satellite Communications System, and processed and shared with the United States.[5] The data is fed into the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System.[7]
Propulsion is provided by four Mitsubishi S6U-MPTK diesel electric engines.[8]
Construction and career
[edit]Aki was laid down in October 2018 at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Tamano and launched on 15 January 2020. She was commissioned on 4 March 2021.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Takahashi, Kosuke. "Japan commissions third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". Janes. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- ^ "艦船搭載機器等の検査及び修理（改造を含む）に係る契約希望者募集要項" (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Defence. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ "Japan commissions third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". Janes.com. Retrieved 5 March 2021.