JS Aki

JS Aki (AOS-5203) is a Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

JS Aki being launched on 17 January 2020
History
Japan
Name:
  • Aki
  • (あき)
Namesake: Aki
Ordered: 1 February 2018
Builder: Mitsui, Tamano
Laid down: October 2018
Launched: 15 January 2020
Commissioned: Expected, March 2021
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:
  • OPS-16
  • OPS-9
  • Sonar AN / UQQ-2
Aviation facilities: Helipad

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).[1] Each vessel has a crew of 40, including five American civilian technicians, and a flight deck for helicopters to operate off of.[2][3] They are able to deploy on station for 90 days.[3]

The vessels have an AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS), which is installed in the United States.[4][3] Data from the sensors is relayed through the Defense Satellite Communications System, and processed and shared with the United States.[3] The data is fed into the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System.[5]

Propulsion is provided by four Mitsubishi S6U-MPTK diesel electric engines.[6]

Construction and career

Aki was laid down in October 2018 at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Tamano and launched on 15 January 2020. She's expected to be commissioned in March 2021.

References
  1. Jane, Frederick Thomas (2010). Jane's Fighting Ships. S. Low, Marston & Company. p. 433. ISBN 978-0-7106-2920-3.
  2. Dominguez, Gabriel (3 February 2020). "Japan launches third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". Jane's Information Group.
  3. 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.
  4. "AOS Hibiki Class". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017.
  5. War is Boring (4 July 2014). "Japan's Ears on the Sea". Medium. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017.
  6. "AOS Hibiki Class". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.
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