The Japanese have classed her as a DDH, no point quoting internet websites, because thats what the JMSDF is using
for now to describe her.
Now in one way they are right. She is armed like a DDH, carrying a small complement of Helicopters, with a wide variety of self defense armament and a very good combat computer/radar suite.
However, this ship doesn't look like a Destroyer. She is not an Aircraft Carrier yet (ok the JMSDF have a Carrier capability as a well known aim), so the question is how far does she have to go and (therefore) can she get to being an Aircraft Carrier?
Well, lets look at the ship. It is big enough (no denying that), but it is going to need a Ski-Jump if they are to use F-35B's effectively (with a combat load) (and not Harriers-where would they get decent Harriers from?). Flight deck operations might be a PITA with only one lift* capable of taking F-35, but that can be worked around.
What about the Hanger-does the ability to carry 11 Helicopters translate into being able to carry a decent number of F-35B's and Supporting Helicopters. What are the ships aviation servicing facilties like?
Presuming the above is all a 'yes' or 'we can convert to xy&z' then we have the Carrier the JMDSF has wanted for so long. If the answer is 'no' (especially in Hanger size and/or the ability to service fixed wing aircraft) then maybe not.
I know this may seem basic questions i'm asking, but having 'a large enough Flight Deck' or 'looking like a Carrier' doesn't always equal a Carrier.
*Interestingly if this is supposed to be a Carrier, I hope they fired the designer. Whats the point in having two lifts if one of them can't carry the fighter you want to use?
The Japanese have classed her as a DDH, no point quoting internet websites, because thats what the JMSDF is using [i]for now[/i] to describe her.
Now in one way they are right. She is armed like a DDH, carrying a small complement of Helicopters, with a wide variety of self defense armament and a very good combat computer/radar suite.
However, this ship doesn't look like a Destroyer. She is not an Aircraft Carrier yet (ok the JMSDF have a Carrier capability as a well known aim), so the question is how far does she have to go and (therefore) can she get to being an Aircraft Carrier?
Well, lets look at the ship. It is big enough (no denying that), but it is going to need a Ski-Jump if they are to use F-35B's effectively (with a combat load) (and not Harriers-where would they get decent Harriers from?). Flight deck operations might be a PITA with only one lift* capable of taking F-35, but that can be worked around.
What about the Hanger-does the ability to carry 11 Helicopters translate into being able to carry a decent number of F-35B's and Supporting Helicopters. What are the ships aviation servicing facilties like?
Presuming the above is all a 'yes' or 'we can convert to xy&z' then we have the Carrier the JMDSF has wanted for so long. If the answer is 'no' (especially in Hanger size and/or the ability to service fixed wing aircraft) then maybe not.
I know this may seem basic questions i'm asking, but having 'a large enough Flight Deck' or 'looking like a Carrier' doesn't always equal a Carrier.
*Interestingly if this is supposed to be a Carrier, I hope they fired the designer. Whats the point in having two lifts if one of them can't carry the fighter you want to use? :huh: