World Aircraft Carriers List: Japanese Helicopter (ASW & Assault) Ships
Revised 26 November 2001
Version 2.03
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Aircraft Carrier Lists Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/
Haruna
class helicopter destroyers
Displacement: 6,550 tons full load
Dimensions: 502 x 57 x 17 feet/153 x 17.4 x 5.2 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 boilers, 2 shafts, 70,000 shp, 32 knots
Crew: 340
Armor: none
Armament: 1 8-cell ASROC, 2 5/54 DP, 6 12.75 inch torpedo tubes
Aircraft: 3 helicopters
Concept/Program: An outgrowth of conventional ASW-oriented
destroyer design, these are ASW-only ships with extensive helicopter and
command facilties. They are meant to act as the main unit of an ASW
escort group.
Design: Large helicopter deck and hangar aft, guns and ASROC
forward. Compact midships superstructure.
Modernization: Mid-life modernizations 1986-1989; Sea Sparrow SAM
and Phalanx CIWS added, superstucture enlarged, electronics improved.
Operational: These ships acted as squadron flagships for
Japanese escort squadrons until replaced by Aegis destroyers mid-late
1990's.
Haruna
DDH 141
Photos:
[Haruna].
Built by Mitsubishi, Nagasaki. Laid down 19 March 1970, launched
12/1971, completed 22 March 1973.
Modernized 31 March 1986 to 31 Oct 1987.
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Hiei
DDH 142
Photos:
[Hiei],
Built by Ishikawajima-Harima, Tokyo. Laid down 8 March 1972, launched 13
Aug 1973, completed 27 Dec 1974.
Modernized 31 Aug 1987-30 March 1989.
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Shirane
class helicopter destroyers
Displacement: 6,800 tons full load
Dimensions: 521 x 57.5 x 17.5 feet/158.8 x 17.5 x 5.3 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 boilers, 2 shafts, 70,000 shp, 32 knots
Crew: 370
Armament: 1 8-tube Sea Sparrow launcher 1 8-cell ASROC, 2 5/54 DP,
6 12.75 inch torpedo tubes
Aircraft: 3 helicopters
Concept/Program: A follow-on to the Haruna class, built to
essentially the same design.
Design: Essentially the same as Haruna class, but with Sea
Sparrow fitted from the start, and with two stacks instead of one.
Modifications: Two Phalanx CIWS have been added.
Operational: These ships acted as squadron flagships for
Japanese escort squadrons until replaced by Aegis destroyers mid-late
1990's.
Shirane
DDH 143
Photos:
[Shirane].
Built by Ishikawajima-Harima, Tokyo. Laid down 25 Feb 1977, launched 18
Sept 1978, completed 17 March
1980.
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Kurama
DDH 144
Photos:
[Kurama],
Built by Ishikawajima-Harima, Tokyo. Laid down 1977, launched 20 Sept
1979, completed 27 March 1981.
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Osumi
class amphibious assault ships
Displacement: approx. 14,700 tons full load
Dimensions: 590.5 x 82 x 20 feet/180 x 25 x 6 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 27,000 shp, 22 knots
Crew: 131 + 330 troops
Armor: none
Armament: 2 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
Aircraft: several helicopters; see notes
Concept/Program: LPH-type ships intended to serve as a
general-purpose amphibious ships. This program originated in a proposal
for a small carrier for defensive and MCM purposes, but this was deemed
politically unaccpetable and the proposal was reworked as an amphibious
ship. These ships will be nominal replacements for several LSTs which are
employed mostly in logistics roles, but these ships will be considerably
larger and more versatile than the LSTs. These is a flat upper deck,
but the forward two thirds of the upper deck is
a vehicle storage area, leaving only a small helicopter pad at
the stern. Four ships are planned. There is no hangar.
Design: Appearance is similar to LPH types. Full length flight
deck, docking well for two LCAC, two elevators, side doors for
vehicle loading and unloading. Designed for reduced radar signature.
Very small crew. Relatively large island, but "flight deck" is mostly
unobstructed. Armament is very light.
Classification: For political reasons, these ships are "tank
landing ships".
Osumi
LST 4001
Photos:
[No photos available]
Built by Mitsubishi Zosen, Tamano. Laid down 7 December 1995, launched 18
November 1996, completed 3/1998.
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Shimokita
LST 4002
Photos:
[No photos available]
Built by Mitsubishi Zosen, Tamano. Laid down November 1999, launched 29
November 2000, to commission 2002.
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(no name)
LST 4003
Photos:
[No photos available]
Built by Mitsubishi Zosen, Tamano. Laid down 7 September 2000.
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The World Aircraft Carrier Lists
Compiled and Maintained by Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
Copyright © 1995-2003 by Andrew Toppan
Reproduction, reuse or distribution without permission is prohibited