This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(January 2016)  | 
|   The US Navy destroyer USS McCampbell, right, conducts a replenishment at sea with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force fast-combat support ship JDS Hamana in 2012  | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Hitachi Shipbuilding Corporation, Maizuru Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Tokyo | 
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | Sagami class | 
| Succeeded by | Mashū class | 
| Planned | 3 | 
| Completed | 3 | 
| Active | 3 | 
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Fast combat support ship | 
| Displacement | |
| Length | 167 m (548 ft) | 
| Beam | 22.0 m (72.2 ft) | 
| Draught | 15.9 m (52 ft) | 
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) | 
| Range | 10,500 nmi (19,446 km; 12,083 mi) at 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) | 
| Complement | 140 | 
| Aviation facilities | Helicopter deck only, may carry helicopters up to the size of MH-53E | 
The Towada-class is a series of replenishment oilers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Three ships of the class were built between 1985-89. The ships have the hull designator AOE. [1]
The Towada-class was designed as an enlarged, improved version of the Sagami-class fast combat support ships. The vessels are capable of mounting the Phalanx CIWS by design, although this is not a common occurrence. [2]
| Name | Number | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Homeport | Status | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towada (とわだ) | AOE-422 | 17 April 1985 | 25 March 1986 | 24 March 1987 | Kure | Active | |
| Tokiwa (ときわ) | AOE-423 | 12 May 1988 | 23 March 1989 | 12 March 1990 | Yokosuka | Active | |
| Hamana (はまな) | AOE-424 | 8 July 1988 | 18 May 1989 | 29 March 1990 | Sasebo | Active |