Japan unveils largest warship since World War II

[n2doc]

Japan's new warship "Izumo", which has a flight deck that is nearly 250 meters (820 feet) long, is unveiled in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013. Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest warship since World War II, a huge flat-top destroyer that has raised eyebrows in China and elsewhere because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier. Izumo is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT



YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest warship since World War II, a huge flat-top destroyer that has raised eyebrows in China and elsewhere because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier.

The ship, which has a flight deck that is nearly 250 meters (820 feet) long, is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters. Japanese officials say it will be used in national defense — particularly in anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions — and to bolster the nation's ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale natural disasters, like the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

Though the ship — dubbed "Izumo" — has been in the works since 2009, its unveiling comes as Japan and China are locked in a dispute over several small islands located between southern Japan and Taiwan. For months, ships from both countries have been conducting patrols around the isles, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyutai in China.

The tensions over the islands, along with China's heavy spending on defense and military modernization, have heightened calls in Japan for beefed-up naval and air forces. China recently began operating an aircraft carrier that it refurbished after purchasing from Russia, and is reportedly moving forward with the construction of another that is domestically built.

more

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/japan-unveils-largest-warship-world-war-ii

[geek tragedy]

1. If China and Japan resume their hostile stance, people may pine for the

days of American hegemony in the area.

[JVS]

2. Fantastic timing

[SunSeeker]

3. Good, maybe they can pile all their people on it to get away from the nuke plant contamination.

[Bonobo]

8. That reminds me of this:

[SunSeeker]

12. Why?

[Cali_Democrat]

13. What in the world does SunSeeker's statement have to do with that map?

Are Americans not allowed to talk about Fukushima nuclear contamination?

What a bizarre reply from you.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. "Flat-topped destroyer"? No, that's an aircraft carrier.

Izumo:



And for comparison, a few destroyers --

HMS Daring:



USS Bainbridge:

[Lurks Often]

5. Calling it a flat top destroyer allowed them to follow the letter of the law

I forget the exact details, but technically Japan's military is not allowed to build anything more powerful then a destroyer.

Since Japan does not have a V/STOL capable aircraft at this time, all it can carry would be helicopters (and drones if Japan goes in that direction).

If Japan chooses to purchase the V/STOL version of the F-35 or build their own V/STOL aircraft, the ship can probably carry 4-8, but would have to be stored on the flight deck since I seen no evidence of a lift to move aircraft from the flight deck to a hanger deck where they could be stored and worked on.

As an aside, I think the Japanese are very concerned about China's recent expansionist behavior

[backscatter712]

6. I did spot a plane-lift on the ship.

It's more clearly visible in the video - it's aft of the conning tower on the starboard side.

[Lurks Often]

9. Oops

Thanks for pointing it out. It didn't make sense to me that they would build it without a hanger deck.

[MicaelS]

10. The Izumo is classified as a DDH

A Helicopter Destroyer. The Izumo is the first ship of her class.

Note that she was just launched. She is not yet in commission.

[Posteritatis]

7. That seems a bit large for its carrying capacity. (nt)

[Safetykitten]

11. And it's also glowing beacon for Japan. Yes, it literally glows.