Quote:
Originally Posted by Llarry
An interesting Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force helicopter destroyer: JS Haruna (DDH-141) was the first Japanese DDH; a line of ships that has culminated in today's JMSDF DDHs (de facto light carriers.)
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There are four JMSDF "helicopter destroyers" current in service of two classes:
1) The Hyuga class was the first DDH to resemble a small aircraft carrier. The two ships of the class (DDHs 181 and 182) are far larger than destroyers, displacing 19,000 tons. (For comparison, U.S. Navy missile destroyers displace just under 10,000 tons.) They generally carry fewer than 10 helicopters; most observers estimate that these ships will NOT be able to operate F-35B STOVL fighters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyuga-...pter-destroyer
2) The Izumo class is more properly termed a small aircraft carrier. The two ships of the class (DDHs 183 and 184) displace 26,000 tons and have undergone modifications to allow them to operate the F-35B. They are considered to have about twice the aircraft capacity of the Hyuga class.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumo-class_destroyer
Like large U.S. aircraft carriers, these ships do not carry long-range surface-to-air missiles; they will rely on accompanying escorts for air defense. (The JMSDF has a number of modern missile destroyers; some with anti-ballistic missile capabilities.) The helo complement is generally Japanese license-built SH-60s for antisubmarine or utility duties and they can also operate MCH-101 (license-built AW101) heavy helicopters for mine countermeasures operations.