The Hyuga class helicopter destroyer is a class of helicopter carrier built for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The Hyuga class was the largest ship built for Japanese navy since World War II. IHI Marine United custom built two Hyuga class ships at the Yokohama shipyard.
The keel for lead ship in class JS Hyuga (DDH-181) was laid down in March 2006, launched in August 2007 and commissioned at Yokosuka port in Japan on 18th March 2009. The second ship, Hyuga's sistership, JS Ise (DDH-182) was laid down in May 2008, launched in August 2009 and commissioned in March 2011.
The Hyuga class replaced the existing 7,000 tons Haruna class destroyers. The ship is part of 16DDH project, the name is derived from the 16th year of Heisei reign in Japanese calender. Hyuga also share the same name with Imperial Japanese Navy's battleship that was converted into hybrid battleships/aircraft carriers in 1943.
The ship's design bears a resemblance to an aircraft carrier or an amphibious assault ship.
The Hyuga class is similar in design to a light aircraft carrier. It has through-deck design to maximise potential space, enabling it to launch and retrieve helicopter complement. It can't launch and retrieve fixed wing aircraft as it is not fitted with a ski-jump and any other equipment.
The Hyuga class use the helicopters on board for their primary mission of conducting anti-submarine activities. The SH-60K helicopters on board the ship can also conduct Search-and-Rescue (SAR) operations.
The Hyuga class is a 197 meters-long, 13,950 tons flat-deck vessel that can carry up to four SH-60K helicopters. The vessel has a crew of 340 sailors and can only carry helicopters. Japan can't operate aircraft carriers as it was restricted under the pacifist constitution.
It is equipped with 16 Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells for anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles. The Hyuga class also armed with 2 20 mm Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and 2 triple 324 mm torpedo tubes for self defence.
The vessel is powered by combined gas turbine and gas (COGAG) propulsion. They are fitted with 4 General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines, developing 25,000 horse power for each of the turbines. The propulsions provide a maximum speed of 30 knots.
The Hyuga class has two aircraft lifts, an enclosed hangar and able to carry up to 18 helicopters.
The vessel could also be instrumental for disaster relief effort in the region. Such disasters would be earthquake, typhoon, tsunami and flood. For example, in 2016, Hyuga participated in relief efforts following the Kumamoto earthquake.
Citations:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyūga-class_helicopter_destroyer
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/hyuga-class/
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