 JS Aki being launched on 17 January 2020 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Japan | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Aki |
| Ordered | 1 February 2018 |
| Builder | Mitsui, Tamano12 |
| Laid down | October 2018 |
| Launched | 15 January 20202 |
| Commissioned | 4 March 202113 |
| Identification | Hull number: AOS-52031 |
| Status | Commissioned |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & 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 ft 10 in)1 |
| Beam | 29.9 m (98 ft 1 in)1 |
| Draft | 7.5 m (24 ft 7 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)1 |
| Complement | 40 |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Aviation facilities | Helipad |
JS Aki (AOS-5203) is a Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
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).5 Each vessel has a crew of 40, including five American civilian technicians, and a flight deck for helicopters to operate off of.67 They are able to deploy on station for 90 days.7
The vessels have an AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS), which was installed in the United States.87 Data from the sensors is relayed through the Defense Satellite Communications System and processed and shared with the United States.7 The data is fed into the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System.9
Propulsion is provided by four Mitsubishi S6U-MPTK diesel electric engines.101
Construction and career
Aki was laid down in October 2018 at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Tamano and launched on 15 January 2020.2 She was commissioned on 4 March 2021.13
References
References
- Prevljak, Naida Hakirevic (10 March 2021). "Video: JMSDF commissions 3rd Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- "Japan launches third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". 3 February 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- "Japan commissions third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". 4 March 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- "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.
- 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.
- "Japan's Ears on the Sea". Medium. 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017.
- "AOS Hibiki Class". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.
External links
External links
- Vavasseur, Xavier (8 March 2021). "JMSDF commissions new Hibiki-Class SURTASS / Ocean Surveillance Ship JS Aki". Naval News. Retrieved 27 January 2025.