JS Aki
Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
JS Aki (AOS-5203) is a Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
JS Aki being launched on 17 January 2020 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Japan | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Aki |
| Ordered | 1 February 2018 |
| Builder | Mitsui, Tamano[1][2] |
| Laid down | October 2018 |
| Launched | 15 January 2020[2] |
| Commissioned | 4 March 2021[1][3] |
| Identification | Hull number: AOS-5203[1] |
| 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 |
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.[6][7] 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.[8][7] 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.[10][1]
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.[1][3]