JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

As I have updated and shown on my on my , the JMSDF 16DDH carrier has taken shape and moved along rapidly.









Although not advertised as such, I believe this carrier could well be capable of the following type of airwing composition. Watch for the JMSDF to purchase the VSTOL version of the F-35. If they do, you can believe they will have such an airwing on these vessels:

I think the launch is planned for sometime later this month - around 23rd August. I haven't heard anything that has put that date back yet.

FuManChu said:

I think the launch is planned for sometime later this month - around 23rd August. I haven't heard anything that has put that date back yet.

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I had heard early September. Either way, it is soon, and it is going to be a fine ship. The Japanese do not do things like this in half measures...we shall still have to wait and see what the final air wing composition is...and it may be some time before we know what that "final" composition might be.

In any event, these are going to be important additions to the JMSDF.

Jeff Head said:

Watch for the JMSDF to purchase the VSTOL version of the F-35. If they do,

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...watch for them to bolt a ski jump onto these ships!

Assuming the Japanese want to operate these ships as Invincible style light carriers, would they be interested in obtaining an AEW rotorcraft of some type like the proposed AEW versions of the Osprey or Merlin? Have there been any rumours of such interest?

Neutral Zone said:

...watch for them to bolt a ski jump onto these ships!

Assuming the Japanese want to operate these ships as Invincible style light carriers, would they be interested in obtaining an AEW rotorcraft of some type like the proposed AEW versions of the Osprey or Merlin? Have there been any rumours of such interest?

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Have not heard any...but I am not sure that an AEW version of the Osprey will fit on those elevators in any case. It seems it would have to be a helo AEW platform of some type IMHO.

While I agree it is suspicious that they would give such underwhelming specs, I don't see why you conclude it must be a full-fledged VSTOL carrier.

Vlad Plasmius said:

While I agree it is suspicious that they would give such underwhelming specs, I don't see why you conclude it must be a full-fledged VSTOL carrier.

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It's not a conclusion, merely a speculation on its potential capabilities. This is a military forum and we have many carrier-wishers who get starry eyed at every ship that might be converted into an aircraft carrier.

I do not believe this ship will be used to operate fixed wing VSTOL aircraft. If and when the Japanese navy decide to operate fixed-wing carriers, they'll build a fixed-wing carrier for that purpose. This ship will most likely be operated as an ASW DDH/flagship and will never field fixed-wing jet aircraft from day one until its retirement to the scrapyard (or davy jones locker). Sames goes for S. Korea's LPH.

The Japanese DDH was built to replace its fleet of 30+ year of Shirane and Haruna class ASW DDH. As soon as the new DDH is in service the Haruna class DDH will be retired. Rather than comparing the new ship to HMS Invincible, I believe it'd be better compared to the HMS Ocean. The potential to operate (beyond just ferrying) fixed-wing aircraft is there, but it'd never be refitted for that purpose. Just my $0.02.

Vlad Plasmius said:

While I agree it is suspicious that they would give such underwhelming specs, I don't see why you conclude it must be a full-fledged VSTOL carrier.

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I am not saying that it either is, or must be...just that it could be. I do believe it is certainly much more capable, even in rotary compliment, than what has been advertised.

It certaianly is now shaping up to be a very fine looking ship.

As to F-35s...only time will tell. It may well be that one will never grace their decks. Even if they do not, these vessels are going to be a very capable vessels, and they will further fuel what is appearing more and more (with what the Japanese, Koreans, and Austarlians are doing) to be a continuing naval arms race in the area by these countries to counter what they perceive as the emerging power of the PLAN, who themselves are building very capable and modern vessels.

also in terms of size, it's close to that of Invincible class aircraft carrier. I can definitely see this and the Dodko class operate F-35s in the future.

Well it seems almost like you're treating it like it really is going to be a full-on carrier.

Though, I do think you have a point about it being potentially capable of far more than is being said. Maybe the idea is to have the potential to be a carrier but not for it to be a carrier. Basically making something than can be made into a carrier should such a need arise, without having to go to the trouble of building one.