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JS Hyuga (DDH-181)

2009 MODERN NAVY

History

Japan is a country composed of 6,852 islands in the Pacific Ocean, bordering the Sea of ??Japan to the east, the Sea of ??Okhotsk to the north, and the East China Sea to the south. Their dubious neighbors are China and North Korea, both of which have large submarine fleets that could pose a threat to vital import waterways that underpin Japan's economy. There are also tensions with Russia over several northern island collections. Unlike the U.S., the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) sees no need to use CV-class aircraft carriers in world waters to demonstrate their prowess.

Instead, the Japanese Navy needs to provide anti-submarine warfare (ASW) defense and rescue support in its local waters. Therefore, she built a relatively large escort destroyer with a flat top deck similar to that of an aircraft carrier.

The ship, known as the Hyuga, was the lead ship of the Hyuga-class. She began construction in 2002 at the IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama and officially entered service on March 18, 2009.

Formerly known as the CVH Hyuga DDH-181, the ship can support up to 11 Navy helicopters and (some sources) up to 22 jump jets, believed to be the upcoming Lockheed F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). She retains the flush landing deck and island layout on the starboard side, making her look like a traditional aircraft carrier or at least a helicopter carrier. Her standard wing consists of three Mitsubishi SH-60K helicopters (based on the American Sikorsky S-70), built locally by Mitsubishi but equipped with Japanese avionics and equipment dedicated to search and rescue functions.

In addition, it carries an AgustaWestland MCH-101 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) utility helicopter. When fully loaded, the Hyuga displaces 18,000 tons or more and travels at speeds in excess of 30 knots. For ships using two gas turbines connected to a single propeller shaft, maximum speed is achieved using a Combined Gas Turbine and Gas Turbine Propulsion System (COGAG).

The gearbox and clutch allow one of the turbine drive shafts or a combination of both. Fuel efficiency is achieved when the smaller turbo system is near its maximum setting.

Despite her carrier-like qualities, Hyuga's armament leans towards a destroyer escort role, deploying 16 RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) to protect the ship from the air of incoming missiles or enemy aircraft threaten. The ESSM engine is more powerful than the original Sea Sparrow missile and can be loaded into the Mk 41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) airborne missile storage and launch system. 4 x ESSM shipped in four of 16 x Mk 41 VLS units.

The ship also carries 12 RUM-139 VL-ASROC anti-submarine missiles, built by Lockheed Martin, which can be fired from the remaining units of the Mk 41 VLS. Additional anti-submarine threats were repelled by dual triple 324mm torpedo tubes that fired "hunt and kill" torpedoes at submerged enemy submarines.

For the final trenches, close range protection for incoming missiles and aircraft is a computer-controlled 20mm phalanx CIWS (Close Weapon System). The Gatling cannon has a rate of fire of 3,000 to 4,500 rounds per minute.

However, destroying an incoming threat at a range of up to 500 meters is expected to damage the ship's sensors and processing systems, and even the exposed crew. Extreme close-range anti-personnel and anti-aircraft weapons include 4 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns.

The onboard sensor system is controlled and processed by the Advanced Technology Command System (ATECS). The combat system is managed by the advanced OYQ-10 unit. For incoming missiles or aircraft, there is the FCS-3 AAW system, a smaller version of the US Aegis phased array radar suite.

Submarine threats are covered by OQQ-21 ASW sensors, and electronic warfare blockades are handled by NOLQ-3C EWs. To scan for low-altitude missile threats, the OPS-20C radar can be used.

The Hyuga and her sister ships are built as flagships for any JMSDF fleet rescue or combat mission, such as the relatively new Fukushima disaster following the March 2011 tsunami. The nuclear disaster killed or disappeared nearly 26,000 people, triggering the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986.

Both Hyuga and Ise (commissioned March 16, 2011) were dispatched to the disaster site for rescue operations.