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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

New, Bigger Japanese Navy Helicopter Carrier

Comparison of current JN "DDH" (foreground) with new design in background
Reported at Maritime Propulsion, "New Helicopter Carrier for Japanese Navy":
Details of the propulsion system for the new Helicopter Carrier of the Japanese Navy / Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) have been announced. To be built by IHI of Tokyo, the LOA 814 ft (248 m) and beam of 124 ft (38 m) vessel will have a fully loaded displacement of around 27,500 tons. The official Japanese 22DDH designation of the ship is of a “destroyer” but in reality it is a helicopter carrier. The reason for the diplomatic designation lies in the post World War 2 constitution which prohibits Japan to own aircraft carriers.
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The propulsion system comprises four GE LM2500 gas turbines of 33,600 hp (25 MW) each giving a total power of around 135,000 hp (100 MW) in a COGAG arrangement giving a speed of 30 kt. The ships will also be using GE’s smaller turbine, the LM500 with an output of approximately 6,000 hp (4.5MW) in a turbo-electric configuration for on board power generation.
More info from here:
Japanese accounts suggest that one of the reasons for the drastic increase in size of the 22DDH design is a planned shift to the V-22 Osprey as the primary air group element for these ships. It is not clear whether these would be replacements for or supplemental to the SH-60Ks that equip the Hyuga class. These accounts also make it clear that the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is seen as a key system for these ships. Apparently, provision for the operation of UAVs is being included within the design.

1 comment:

  1. Wonder how they're dealing with the F-35B vis a vis their flight decks. Lex had a video of one coming aboard an LHD for flight deck quals, check out the heat bloom on the deck if you happen to watch it. Lots of thrust in that engine.

    The increase in size is unsurprising if they plan to operate the V-22 and F-35. V-22 has a footprint comparable to the H-53 .

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