JS Aki

JS Aki being launched on 17 January 2020
History
Japan
Name	Aki (あき)
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 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 ft 10 in) [1]
Beam	29.9 m (98 ft 1 in) [1]
Draft	7.5 m (24 ft 7 in)
Propulsion	4 × MTU 8V 4000 M33S diesel engines [4] 2 × shafts
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) [1]
Complement	40
Sensors and processing systems	OPS-16 OPS-9 Sonar AN / UQQ-2 [1]
Aviation facilities	Helipad

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

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]}

References

1. Prevljak, Naida Hakirevic (10 March 2021). "Video: JMSDF commissions 3rd Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship" . Retrieved 27 January 2025.
2. "Japan launches third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". 3 February 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
3. "Japan commissions third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". 4 March 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
4. "艦船搭載機器等の検査及び修理（改造を含む）に係る契約希望者募集要項" (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Defence. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
5. Jane, Frederick Thomas (2010). Jane's Fighting Ships. S. Low, Marston & Company. p. 433. ISBN   978-0-7106-2920-3.
6. Dominguez, Gabriel (3 February 2020). "Japan launches third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship". Jane's Information Group.
7. 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.
8. "AOS Hibiki Class". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017.
9. "Japan's Ears on the Sea". Medium. 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017.
10. "AOS Hibiki Class". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.

External links

• Vavasseur, Xavier (8 March 2021). "JMSDF commissions new Hibiki-Class SURTASS / Ocean Surveillance Ship JS Aki". Naval News. Retrieved 27 January 2025.