Japan Launches Second ASW Aircraft Carrier
Japan launched its second aircraft carrier (the Ise) on August 21st.
This past March, it commissioned the first of these ships, the “helicopter-carrying destroyer”, the Hyuga. These are 610 foot long, 18,000 ton warships that operate up to 11 (mostly SH-60) helicopters from a full length flight deck. Although called a destroyer, it very much looks like an aircraft carrier. While its primary function is anti-submarine warfare, the vessels also give Japan its first real power projection capability since 1945.
These vessels are the largest warships built in Japan since World War II. The Japanese constitution forbids it to have aircraft carriers, which is the main reason it is called a destroyer.
The ships also have 16 Mk41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells for anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles. There are also two 20mm Phalanx anti-missile cannon and two triple 12.75-inch torpedo mounts. There is a crew of 350 and a top speed of about 60 kilometers. Vertical takeoff jets like the Harrier and F-35B could also operate from the ship. A third Hyuga class is planned.
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