Aso-class patrol vessel

Dewa (PL-42)
Class overview
Name	Aso class
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)
Displacement	770
Length	79.0 m (259.2 ft)
Beam	10.0 m (32.8 ft)
Depth	6 m (20 ft)
Propulsion	4 × Waterjets 4 × diesel engines
Speed	30+ knots
Complement	30
Armament	One Bofors 40 mm L/70 gun with optical FCS

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 name "Aso" is named after Mount Aso,the largest active volcano in Japan.

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

PL41 Aso

Commissioned:2005 March

Home port:Fukuoka

PL42 Dewa

Commissioned:2006 April

Home port:Akita, Akita

PL43 Hakusan

Commissioned:2006 April

Home port:Kanazawa, Ishikawa

See also

• List of Japan Coast Guard vessels and aircraft
• Hida class patrol vessel - another class of High-speed, high-functionality patrol vessel, large.

References

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