Misplaced Pages

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108-620: Development of the PS-1 has its origins in flying boat research performed by the Shin Meiwa during the 1950s. The company, believing that their design was capable of regular use upon the open sea, petitioned the Japanese military to acquire the type as a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). Following the demonstration of a converted Grumman HU-16 Albatross testbed aircraft, referred to as the UF-XS ,

216-479: A patrol aircraft , maritime reconnaissance aircraft , maritime surveillance aircraft , or by the older American term patrol bomber , is a fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol roles — in particular anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-ship warfare (AShW), and search and rescue (SAR). Among other maritime surveillance resources, such as satellites , ships, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters ,

324-561: A 15-knot wind. Apart from the boundary layer control system, which was powered by an independent gas turbine housed within the fuselage, the aircraft had a number of other innovative features, including a system to suppress spray during water handling, and directing the propwash from the aircraft's four turboprop engines over its wings to create yet more lift. During 1976, a single PS-1 was experimentally modified to perform aerial firefighting missions; it possessed an internal capacity of 7,350 litres (1,940 US gal) of water. During

432-601: A MPA variant of the Dassault Falcon 900 corporate jet instead. Japan has developed multiple purpose-designed MPAs during this period. The Shin Meiwa PS-1 flying boat was designed to meet a Japanese requirement for a new ASW platform. A modernised derivative of the PS-1, the ShinMaywa US-2 amphibian, was introduced during the early twenty-first century to succeed the PS-1. The land-based Kawasaki P-1

540-423: A committee headed by Kikuhara which was tasked with developing seaplane designs that would feature greater seaworthiness. Unlike most seaplanes, they held the ambitious aim of producing an aircraft that could land upon rough seas and encounter little impact from waves and spray. By 1959, the committee felt that it had developed an appropriate design to meet its specification. Two years later Kikuhara, who now headed up

648-547: A fleet of various auxiliary ships . The fleet has a total displacement of approximately 624,000 tonnes, excluding auxiliary vessels. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation maintains a large naval air force, including 201 fixed-wing aircraft and 145 helicopters. Most of these aircraft are used in anti-submarine warfare operations. The JMSDF is commanded by the Chief of the Maritime Staff. Its structure consists of

756-425: A large-scale submarine attack is a remote one, and many of the air forces and navies have been downsizing their fleets of patrol planes. Those still in service are still used for search-and-rescue, counter-smuggling, anti piracy , antipoaching of marine life, the enforcement of the exclusive economic zones , and enforcement of the laws of the seas . The earliest patrol aircraft carried bombs and machine guns. Between

864-484: A mine as a security measure. It sank 37 Axis submarines during the war. The Cold War era saw the introduction of the nuclear depth bomb , a depth charge with a nuclear warhead that raised the probability of a kill against a submarine to a near-certainty as long as detonation occurred. While anti-submarine warfare is the main role of patrol aircraft, their large payload capability has seen them fitted for various weaponry outside their nominal role. The Lockheed P-3 Orion

972-581: A result of continuing effective defense investment due to Japan's economic development and an end to the Cold War , the JMSDF became the world's fourth largest navy by total tonnage by 2000. Japan has the eighth largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world, and the JMSDF is responsible for protecting this large area. As an island nation, dependent on maritime trade for the majority of its resources, including food and raw materials, maritime operations are

1080-468: A total of 1,000 crew members. Each Escort Flotilla is formed as a fleet of eight destroyers and eight on-board helicopters. Each force is composed of one helicopter destroyer (DDH) acting as a command ship, two guided-missile destroyers (DDG) and five standard or ASW destroyers (DD). The JMSDF is planning to reorganize the respective Escort Flotillas into a DDH group and DDG group, enabling faster overseas deployments. Five district units act in concert with

1188-431: A typical ASW mission, a PS-1 would range over hundreds of square miles of ocean, landing between 12 and 16 times to dip its sonar. The type was capable of numerous feats, such as being able to routinely land in seas with waves of up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height. Water distance for takeoff or landing with 79,400 pounds (36,000 kg) aircraft weight was 720 feet (220 m) with no wind or 500 feet (150 m) into

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1296-436: A very important aspect of Japanese defense policy. The JMSDF is known in particular for its anti-submarine warfare and minesweeping capabilities. Defense planners believe the most effective approach to combating hostile submarines entails mobilizing all available weapons, including surface combatants, submarines, patrol planes , and helicopters . They are also known to operate at least fourteen listening stations all over

1404-686: Is limited by the absence of aircraft carriers , though its destroyers and frigates equipped with the Aegis combat system provide a formidable capability in antiaircraft and antimissile warfare . These capabilities are force multipliers, allowing force projection of Japan's sizable destroyer and frigate force far from home waters, and acquiring them is contentious considering Japan's "passive" defense policy. Long-range strike capability will be introduced as soon as Tomahawk cruise missiles are deployed on JMSDF destroyers. Destroyers and combat support ships of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were dispatched to

1512-528: Is planned to be a high-speed trimaran designed for operations in shallow coastal waters capable of carrying helicopters, possibly a lighter variant of the American 3,000-tonne (3,000-long-ton) littoral combat ship . The study was conducted in response to the growth of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy and budgetary issues with the U.S. military that may affect their ability to operate in

1620-643: Is that this article allows for military forces to be kept for the purposes of self-defense. Due to Cold War pressures, the United States was also happy for Japan to provide part of its own defense, rather than have it fully rely on American forces . In 1952, the Safety Security Force was formed within the Maritime Safety Agency , incorporating the minesweeping fleet and other military vessels, mainly destroyers, given by

1728-716: The Izumo -class destroyers to carry US-designed F-35B fighter jets. This makes them de facto aircraft carriers . To avoid controversy, the ruling parties call it a "multi-purpose operation destroyer". It would be the first such ship in the JMSDF since World War II . On 23 May 2019, retired MSDF vice-admiral Toshiyuki Ito stated that Japan requires at least four Izumo -class destroyers to be viable for real naval combat operations. He said "If you only have two vessels, you can only use them for training personnel for taking off and landing operations, so this plan doesn't make sense for MSDF officers, frankly speaking." As aircraft carriers ,

1836-761: The Allies . In the Pacific theatre , the Catalina was gradually superseded by the longer-ranged Martin PBM Mariner flying boat. For the Axis Powers , there were the long-range Japanese Kawanishi H6K and Kawanishi H8K flying boats, and the German Blohm & Voss BV 138 diesel-engined trimotor flying boat, as well as the converted Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor airliner landplane. To finally close

1944-689: The Battle of Amami-Ōshima . In 2002, the JMSDF deployed ships to the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Anaconda during the War in Afghanistan . In August 2003, a new "helicopter carrier" class was ordered, the Hyūga -class helicopter destroyer . Due to the size and features of the ship, including a full-length flight deck , it was classified as a helicopter carrier by Lloyd's Register — similar to

2052-502: The Bay of Biscay targeting U-boats starting out from their base. As a result of Allied successes with patrol aircraft against U-boats, the Germans introduced U- flak (submarines equipped with more antiaircraft weaponry) to escort U-boats out of base and encouraged commanders to remain on the surface and fire back at attacking craft rather than trying to escape by diving. However, U-flak

2160-580: The East China Sea southwest of the Japanese home islands ( pictured ). On 6 October 2022, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan ( pictured ) as part of the military response to ongoing North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile tests over the Japanese home islands . On 16 November 2022,

2268-662: The Falklands War in order for it to be able to attack any Argentine Air Force patrol planes they might encounter. Maritime patrol aircraft are typically fitted with a wide range of sensors: A modern military maritime patrol aircraft typically carries a dozen or so crew members, including relief flight crews, to effectively operate the equipment for 12 hours or more at a time. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ( Japanese : 海上自衛隊 , Hepburn : Kaijō Jieitai ) , abbreviated JMSDF ( 海自 , Kaiji ) , also simply known as

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2376-685: The Fleet Air Force headquartered at Atsugi , the Fleet Submarine Force based at Yokosuka and Kure, the Mine Warfare Force based at Yokosuka and the Fleet Training Command at Yokosuka. In March 2018, Ryoko Azuma became the first female squadron commander in the JMSDF. Her unit includes the flagship Izumo , the largest warship in the JMSDF. She commands four warships making up a division with

2484-694: The Indian Navy . On 16 December 2022, the Japanese Cabinet approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略), the strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (NDS or 国家防衛戦略) document outlined Japan's defense policy goals and

2592-682: The Izumo -class destroyers are relatively small, only able to carry approximately 10 F-35Bs, which Ito argued were too few to provide effective air defense. In 2019, the National Diet of Japan approved the order of 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft in addition to 135 F-35A model conventional takeoff and landing fighters for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate from their land bases;

2700-762: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) awarded Shin Meiwa a contract in 1966 to further develop its design via two further prototypes, which were designated PS-X . During 1969, the JMSDF placed the first order for an eventual fleet of 21 ASW aircraft, designated PS-1 ; orders for the SAR variant, designated US-1A , were also issued during the 1970s. Shin Meiwa were keen to develop additional variants and derivative aircraft, including substantially larger designs which they had studied, but many of these ambitions remained as paper projects only. During

2808-600: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) awarded Shin Meiwa a contract to further develop its design to produce a patrol aircraft capable of the ASW mission; accordingly, two further prototypes were constructed under the designation PS-X . In addition to Shin Meiwa, other Japanese companies, such as Fuji Heavy Industries and NIPPI Corporation , also played major roles in the PS-X's development. The adaptions resulted in significant seaworthiness improvements; during tests conducted in

2916-677: The Japanese Navy , is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces , tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II . The JMSDF has a fleet of 154 ships, 346 aircraft and 50,800 personnel. Following Japan's defeat in World War II , the Imperial Japanese Navy was dissolved by

3024-654: The Kii Channel during 1968, the PS-X successfully landed amid formidable four-meter waves, despite these being in excess of its design goal of three meters. Having been suitably impressed, during 1969, the JMSDF issued a production order for a batch of 21 aircraft, which were given the designation PS-1 , to meet its ASW requirement. In spite of its demonstrated performance, the project was not without its critics. The programme soon became politically controversial as its relatively small production run had resulted in an extremely high unit-cost for these aircraft, largely due to

3132-473: The Korean Peninsula . On 19 December 2023, United States, Japan, and South Korea announced the activation of a real-time North Korea missile warning system as well as jointly established a multi-year trilateral exercise plan in response to North Korea's continued ballistic missile launches. The ship prefix JDS (Japanese Defense Ship) was used until 2008, at which time JMSDF ships started using

3240-627: The Lulu nuclear depth charge for ASW, but those were removed from the arsenal and scrapped decades ago. Produced in United States , Japan and Canada , the P-3 has been operated by the air forces and navies of United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, Iran, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand , Norway , Spain, and Taiwan. The Canadian version is called the CP-140 Aurora . During

3348-594: The Mediterranean , Adriatic and other coastal areas while the Germans and British fought over the North Sea. At first, blimps and zeppelins were the only aircraft capable of staying aloft for the longer ten hour patrols whilst carrying a useful payload while shorter-range patrols were mounted with landplanes such as the Sopwith 1½ Strutter . A number of specialized patrol balloons were built, particularly by

Shin Meiwa US-1A - Misplaced Pages Continue

3456-880: The Mid-Atlantic gap , or "Black Gap", a space in which Axis submarines could prey on Allied shipping out of reach of MPAs, the British Royal Air Force , the Royal Canadian Air Force , and the US Army Air Forces introduced the American Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber , which had a very long range for the era. The B-24 was also used at the basis for the PB4Y-2 Privateer , a dedicated MPA variant adopted in large numbers by

3564-675: The Potsdam Declaration acceptance. Ships were disarmed, and some of them, such as the battleship Nagato , were taken by the Allied Powers as reparations. The remaining ships were used for repatriation of the Japanese soldiers from abroad and also for minesweeping in the area around Japan, initially under the control of the Second Bureau of the Demobilization Ministry . The minesweeping fleet

3672-635: The ShinMaywa US-2 . In 1977, Shin Meiwa revealed that it had several ideas for its STOL flying boat concept on the drawing board, but ultimately none of these were ever built. They were the Shin Meiwa LA (Light Amphibian), a 40-passenger light amphibian for inter-island feeder service; the 400-passenger Shin Meiwa MA (Medium Amphibian); the Shin Meiwa MS (Medium Seaplane) a 300-passenger long-range flying boat with its own beaching gear; and

3780-670: The Supermarine Stranraer , which had begun to be replaced by monoplanes just before the outbreak of war. The British in particular used obsolete bombers to supplement purpose-built aircraft for maritime patrol, such as the Vickers Wellington and Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley , while the US relegated the Douglas B-18 Bolo to the same role until better aircraft became available. Blimps were widely used by

3888-603: The United Kingdom 's HMS  Ocean . There was discussion about whether an aircraft carrier would be prohibited by Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution , since aircraft carriers are generally considered offensive weapons. The Self-Defense Forces are not allowed to possess ICBMs , strategic bombers , or attack aircraft carriers. Historically (until about 1975 in the U.S. Navy ) large-scale carriers were classified as "attack aircraft carriers" and

3996-772: The United States Navy , especially in the warmer and calmer latitudes of the Caribbean Sea , the Bahamas , Bermuda , the Gulf of Mexico , Puerto Rico , Trinidad , and later the Azores . A number of special-purpose aircraft were also used in the conflict, including the American-made twin-engine Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats, and the large, four-engine British Short Sunderland flying boats of

4104-598: The carrier-based Grumman S-2 Tracker . During the 1970s, the P2V was entirely replaced by the Lockheed P-3 Orion , which remained in service into the early twenty-first century. The P-3, powered by four turboprop engines, is derived from the 1950s era Lockheed Electra airliner. In addition to their ASW and SAR capabilities, most P-3Cs have been modified to carry Harpoon and Maverick missiles for attacking surface ships. American P-3s were formerly armed with

4212-569: The 12 vessels to the JMSDF from fiscal year 2023, which starts on April 1, 2023. On August 31 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced that JMSDF will operate two " Aegis system equipped ships " (イージス・システム搭載艦 in Japanese) to replace the earlier plan of Aegis Ashore installations, commissioning one by the end of fiscal year 2027, and the other by the end of FY2028. The budget for design and other related expenses are to be submitted in

4320-806: The 1960s, in response to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new MPA, the Breguet 1150 Atlantic was developed by a French-led multinational consortium, Société d'Étude et de Construction de Breguet Atlantic (SECBAT). Operators of the type include the French Navy , the German Navy , the Italian Air Force , the Pakistan Navy , and the Royal Netherlands Navy . During

4428-402: The 1980s, an updated version, the Atlantic Nouvelle Génération or Atlantique 2 , with new equipment and avionics was introduced, which included a new radar, sonar processor, forward-looking infrared camera turret, and the ability to carry the Exocet anti-shipping missile. By 2005, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation had decided to terminate marketing efforts for the Atlantic, promoting

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4536-509: The 1980s, the JMSDF decided to adopt land-based Lockheed P-3 Orions , displacing the PS-1s from the ASW role and leading to the variant's retirement during 1989. Following the withdrawal of the last active US-1A in 2017, the type has been replaced by the ShinMaywa US-2 , a modernised variant. Following the end of the Second World War and the start of the Occupation of Japan , a ban on aircraft manufacturing imposed during December 1945 required Japan's aircraft industry to find other work. During

4644-440: The 1980s, the JMSDF decided to replace the PS-1 in the ASW role with land-based Lockheed P-3 Orions ; the last examples of the ASW variant were phased out of service in 1989. It was outlived by the Search-and-Rescue oriented US-1A fleet, which continued to be used into the 21st century. The US-1A's first rescue was from a Greek vessel in 1976. Despite having been envisioned largely to perform air-sea rescues of military personnel,

4752-439: The Albatross's two 1,425 hp (1,063 kW) Wright R-1820 radial engines were supplemented by two 600 hp (450 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engines on the aircraft's modified wings, with an additional 1,250 shp (930 kW) General Electric T58 turboshaft inside the aircraft's hull to drive the boundary layer control system. The UF-XS also featured a new T-tail arrangement which resembled that of

4860-436: The Atlantic to reduce the warning available to surfaced U-boats , while US Navy aircraft transitioned from an upper light blue-gray and lower white to an all-over dark blue due to the increasing threat of Japanese forces at night-time. In the decades following the Second World War, the MPA missions were partially taken over by aircraft derived from civilian airliners. These had range and performance factors better than most of

4968-413: The British, including the SS class airship of which 158 were built including subtypes. As the conflict continued, numerous aircraft were developed specifically for the role, including small flying boats such as the FBA Type C , as well as large floatplanes such as the Short 184 , or flying boats such as the Felixstowe F.3 . Developments of the Felixstowe served with the Royal Air Force until

5076-401: The Cold War threat posed by the Soviet Navy 's sizable and powerful submarine fleet, the JMSDF was primarily tasked with an anti-submarine role. Following the end of the Cold War , the role of the JMSDF has vastly changed. In 1991, after international pressure, the JMSDF dispatched four minesweepers, a fleet oiler ( JDS Tokiwa ) and a minesweeping tender (JDS Hayase ) to the Persian Gulf in

5184-642: The Defense Buildup Program, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current eight to ten, as well as two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By the end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with Aegis Weapon System (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and destroyer escorts with Mogami -class frigates . The JMSDF has an official strength of 50,000 personnel, but presently numbers around 50,800 active personnel. As

5292-431: The F-35B is same model aircraft that the US Marines operate from US Navy aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, the US Marines also plan to fly from the Japanese Izumo class after the STOVL modifications and refit. On October 14 2020, the 3,000-ton submarine Taigei was unveiled. This is the first vessel of the Taigei class and the 22nd submarine vessel of the JMSDF. The Taigei entered service in 2022, and

5400-400: The Indian Ocean from 2001 to 2008 to participate in OEF-MIO (Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation). Their mission is to prevent the marine transportation of illegal weapons and ammunition, and the drugs which fund terrorist activity. Since 2004, the JMSDF has provided ships of foreign forces with fuel for their ships and ship-based helicopters, as well as freshwater. This

5508-438: The Indian Ocean. In May 2010, Japan announced its intention to build a permanent naval base in Djibouti , from which it will conduct operations to protect merchant shipping from Somali pirates . The JMSDF and the U.S. Navy frequently carry out joint exercises and "U.S. Navy officials have claimed that they have a closer daily relationship with the JMSDF than any other navy in the world". The JMSDF participates in RIMPAC ,

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5616-471: The JMSDF; starting in 1973, they were operated as Fleet Air Wing 31. The PS-1 ASW variant carried homing torpedoes , depth charges and 127mm Zuni rockets as offensive armament, but lacked any defensive weapons. It was equipped with dipping sonar , which had limited use as it required the aircraft to land on water to deploy. It could also carry 20 sonobuoys . It had a crew of ten: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, navigator and six sensor/weapons operators. On

5724-443: The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF). The two ASEV warship would be exclusively tasked for dedicated ballistic missile defense (BDM) missions (BMD等) and operate off the Korean peninsula in the Sea of Japan , allowing the other Aegis guided-missile destroyers to meet other contingencies (侵攻阻止) while operating independently to maintain the maritime domain awareness (MDA) and keep the sea lines of communication (SLOC) open in

5832-505: The MPA is an important asset. To perform ASW operations, MPAs typically carry air-deployable sonar buoys as well as torpedoes and are usually capable of extended flight at low altitudes. The first aircraft that would now be identified as maritime patrol aircraft were flown by the Royal Naval Air Service and the French Aéronautique Maritime during the First World War , primarily on anti-submarine patrols. France, Italy and Austria-Hungary used large numbers of smaller patrol aircraft for

5940-468: The Maritime Staff Office, the Self Defense Fleet, five regional district commands, the air-training squadron and various support units, such as hospitals and schools. The Maritime Staff Office, located in Tokyo, serves the Chief of Staff in commanding and supervising the force. The Self-Defense Fleet, headquartered at Yokosuka , consists of the JMSDF's military shipping. It is composed of Fleet Escort Force, based in Yokosuka , Sasebo , Maizuru and Kure ,

6048-408: The P-3C, which later became the sole ASW type operated by the service. The Soviet Union developed the Ilyushin Il-38 from a civilian airliner. Similarly, the Royal Canadian Air Force derived the Canadair CP-107 Argus from a British airliner, the Bristol Britannia . The Argus was superseded by the CP-140 Aurora, derived from the Lockheed Electra. Since the end of the Cold War , the threat of

6156-469: The Pacific. The J-LCS would be used to intervene during Chinese ship incursions near the Senkaku Islands and other contested areas in the East China Sea , and possibly counter similar Chinese vessels like the Type 056 corvette and Type 022 missile boat . A 1,000-tonne (980-long-ton) J-LCS with an enlarged hull could operate the SH-60K anti-submarine helicopter or the MCH-101 airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter. On May 1 2017, JS  Izumo

6264-404: The Taepodong-1 missile over northern Japan, the JMSDF has increased its efforts in air defense . A ship-based anti-ballistic missile system was successfully test-fired on 18 December 2007 and has been installed on Japan's Aegis-equipped destroyers. In November 2009, the JMSDF announced plans for a larger "helicopter carrier", the Izumo -class helicopter destroyer . The first one of these ships

6372-424: The U.S. Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency . This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest Maya -class destroyers . On 22 February 2023, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan in response to

6480-423: The U.S. Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency . This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest Maya -class destroyers . On 16 December 2022, Second Kishida Reshuffled Cabinet approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略),

6588-441: The US Navy, which saw service late on in the Pacific theatre. During the conflict, there were several developments in air-to-surface-vessel radar and sonobuoys , which enhanced the ability of aircraft to find and destroy submarines, especially at night and in poor weather. Another area of advancement was the adoption of increasingly effective camouflage schemes, which led to the widespread adoption of white paint schemes in

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6696-425: The US-1A has mostly been involved in civilian assistance operations. Between 1976 and 1999, Japan's US-1A fleet has reported been used in over 500 rescues and were responsible for the saving of 550 lives. The US-1A was retired on December 13, 2017, when the last example in JMSDF service conducted its final flight. According to aviation periodical Air International , a total of 827 people have been rescued by US-1s since

6804-426: The United States. In 1954, the SSF was separated, and the JMSDF was formally created as the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), following the passage of the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Law. The first ships in the JMSDF were former U.S. Navy destroyers, transferred to Japanese control in 1954. In 1956, the JMSDF received its first domestically produced destroyer since World War II, Harukaze . Due to

6912-407: The United States. The JMSDF has dispatched a number of its destroyers on a rotating schedule to the Indian Ocean in an escort role for allied vessels as part of the UN-led Operation Enduring Freedom . The JMSDF, along with the Japan Coast Guard , has also been active in preventing North Korean infiltrators from reaching Japan and on 22 December 2001, engaged and sank a North Korean spy ship in

7020-413: The advanced variant of the Martin P5M-2 Marlin. From 1962 onwards, the UF-XS performed numerous test flights, demonstrating the improved features which enabled a flying boat to both land and take-off from the open ocean; these tests were closely followed and critiqued by the Japanese military. Over time, the UF-XS continued to be modified to improve its stability and other key performance criteria. In 1966,

7128-477: The aftermath of the Gulf War , under the name of Operation Gulf Dawn, to clear mines sown by Saddam Hussein 's defending forces. Starting with a mission to Cambodia in 1993 when JSDF personnel were supported by JDS Towada , it has been active in a number of UN-led peacekeeping operations throughout Asia. In 1993, the JMSDF commissioned its first Aegis -equipped destroyer, Kongō . It has also been active in joint naval exercises with other countries, such as

7236-540: The aircraft's development, embarked upon fulfilling this request. By deleting much of the PS-1's military equipment, room was freed up to provide the aircraft with a greater fuel capacity, retractable landing gear, and rescue equipment. The new variant, which was designated the US-1A , could also quickly be converted for troop-carrying. The US-1A was Japan's first amphibian , operating from land and sea, which meant that it could transfer survivors to land facilities via ambulance more quickly. First flown on October 15, 1974, it

7344-411: The annual multi-national military exercise near Hawaii that has been hosted by the U.S. Navy since 1980. The JMSDF dispatched a ship to the Russian Vladivostok harbor in July 1996 to participate in the Russian Navy 's 300th Anniversary Naval Review. In return, Admiral Vinogradov , an Udaloy -class destroyer , called at Tokyo Bay in June 1997. The JMSDF has also conducted joint naval exercises with

7452-430: The company focused on smaller efforts, such as subcontracting work, the production of drop tanks , and performing airframe overhauls of both Japanese and American aircraft, such as the US Navy 's Martin P5M Marlin flying boats. However, senior figures, such as chief aircraft designer Shizo Kikuhara and founder Ryuzo Kawanishi were keen to pursue projects of a greater scope. During the early 1950s, Kawanishi had formed

7560-431: The company's Amphibian Development Division, was lobbying the Japanese Defense Agency to consider the adoption of a flying boat to meet the nation's requirement for an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft . Shin Meiwa stated that they would produce a specialised design to undertake the ASW mission. Crucial support came from the US Navy, who were keen to see Japan's ASW capabilities expand to help track and contain

7668-441: The country that have ELINT and marine surveillance radar warning systems. Historically, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has been relied on to provide air cover at sea, a role that is subordinate to the JASDF's primary mission of air defense of the home islands. Extended patrols over sea lanes are beyond the JASDF's current capabilities. The Japanese fleet's capacity to provide ship-based antiaircraft warfare protection

7776-679: The defense minister ordered the JMSDF to return from the Indian Ocean, fulfilling a government pledge to end the eight-year refueling mission. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama refused to renew the law authorizing the mission, ignoring requests from the American government for continuation. Both the Western alliance country typified by the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Danish Navy , doing friendship activities in

7884-543: The end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with Aegis Weapon System (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and destroyer escorts with Mogami -class frigates . On 23 December 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's 2023 budget and program guidance documented provided examples of operations (運用の一例) for the Aegis-equipped naval forces of

7992-580: The first time in 36 years. After a meeting between the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ( Second Abe Cabinet ) and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy on 4 March 2014, the Japanese Defense Ministry and U.S. Department of Defense announced they would hold studies for the joint development of the littoral vessel under the bilateral Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement. The vessel

8100-447: The fleet to guard the waters of their jurisdictions and provide shore-based support. Each district is home to a major JMSDF base and its supporting personnel and staff. Each district is home to one or two regional escort squadrons, composed of two to three destroyers or destroyer escorts (DE). The destroyers tend to be of older classes, mainly former escort force ships. The destroyer escorts tend to be purpose built vessels. Each district has

8208-417: The form of "item requests", without specific amounts, and the initial procurement of the lead items are expected to clear legislation by FY2023. Construction is to begin in the following year of FY2024. At 20,000 tons each, both vessels will be the largest surface combatant warships operated by the JMSDF, and according to Popular Mechanics , they will "arguably [be] the largest deployable surface warships in

8316-711: The gargantuan Shin Meiwa GS (Giant Seaplane) with a capacity of 1200 passengers seated on three decks. Unlike the Shin Meiwa LA and MA which were like the US-1 in design, the Shin Meiwa MS and GS had their engines located in front of and above the wing to take advantage of the Coandă effect . In the end, none of the four designs got beyond paper studies. Between 1971 and 1978, 21 PS-1 flying boats entered service with

8424-567: The growing Soviet submarine presence in the Pacific. To support the development, the US Navy at Shin Meiwa's request provided a single Grumman HU-16 Albatross flying boat, which was extensively modified reassembled into a flying testbed aircraft, referred to as the UF-XS . The converted flying boat featured numerous adaptations, including a novel boundary layer control system to provide enhanced Short Takeoff/Landing (STOL) performance, while

8532-474: The guided-missile destroyer Maya fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. Two days later, the Haguro fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the U.S. Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai Island , Hawaii, in cooperation with

8640-453: The inherent costs involved in the development of brand new aircraft designs. For its part, Shin Meiwa made efforts to commercialise design elements of the aircraft, such as its hydraulics and engine control systems; it exported its rough-sea roll-damping technology to other seaplane companies. The PS-1 had not been in service long before the JMSDF requested the development of a search-and-rescue (SAR) variant. Shin Meiwa, being keen to pursue

8748-501: The late 1940s, Japanese aircraft manufacturer Kawanishi Aircraft Company reorganised itself, becoming ShinMeiwa Industries . During the 1950s, the emergence of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union led to the aircraft construction ban being rescinded; Shin Meiwa, which had turned to heavy machinery and engine manufacturing for the intervening years, decided to resurrect their old aircraft works. Initially,

8856-757: The late 1940s, the RAF introduced the Avro Shackleton  – a specialised MPA derivative of the Avro Lancaster bomber – in anticipation of a rapid expansion of the Soviet Navy 's submarine force. An improved model of the Shackleton, the MR 3 , was introduced, featuring various structural improvements, along with homing torpedoes and Mk 101 Lulu nuclear depth bombs . During

8964-717: The late 1960s, a jet-powered replacement in the form of the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod , a derivation of the De Havilland Comet airliner, begun to be introduced. During the 2000s, an improved model, the BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 , was in development, but was cancelled and eventually substituted for by the Boeing P-8 Poseidon . The U.S. Navy flew a mixture of MPAs, including the land-based Lockheed P2V Neptune (P2V) and

9072-507: The launch of a North Korean Hwasong-15 ballistic missile on 18 February 2023, landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Sea of Japan, in an area 125 miles west of the island of Ōshima , which lies 30 miles (48 km) west of the main island of Hokkaido . Two additional IBCBMs were subsequently launched on 20 February 2023, with both landing in the Sea of Japan off the east coast of

9180-571: The means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (DBP or 防衛力整備計画) document outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to the Defense Buildup Program document, the JMSDF will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current 8 to 10 warships, as well as the introduction of two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By

9288-589: The mid 20s, and with the US Navy as the Curtiss F5L and Naval Aircraft Factory PN whose developments saw service until 1938. During the war, Dornier did considerable pioneering work in all aluminium aircraft structures while working for Luftschiffbau Zeppelin and built four large patrol flying boats, the last of which, the Zeppelin-Lindau Rs.IV , influenced development elsewhere resulting in

9396-632: The name would be easier to pronounce for non-Japanese speakers) set about planning to produce an upgraded version of the US-1A, initially referred to as the US-1A kai ( US-1A 改 - "improved US-1A"). This aircraft features numerous aerodynamic refinements and modernised systems, along with a pressurised hull, and the adoption of more powerful Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines. Flight tests of the new variant began on December 18, 2003. The JMSDF has chosen to purchase up to 14 of these aircraft, which has entered service as

9504-720: The prefix JS (Japanese Ship) to reflect the upgrade of the Japanese Defense Agency to the Ministry of Defense . As of 2014 , the JMSDF operates a total of 124 ships, excluding minor auxiliary vessels. This includes: two multi-purpose operation destroyers (de facto aircraft carriers ), two helicopter carriers ( called helicopter destroyers ), 26 destroyers , 10 small destroyers ( or frigates ), six destroyer escorts ( or corvettes ), 22 attack submarines , 29 mine countermeasure vessels , six patrol vessels , three landing ship tanks , eight training vessels and

9612-800: The replacement of wooden hulls with metal ones, such as on the Short Singapore . The success of long range patrol aircraft led to the development of fighters specifically designed to intercept them, such as the Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 . Many of the Second World War patrol airplanes were converted from either bombers or airliners , such as the Lockheed Hudson which started out as the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra , as well as older biplane designs such as

9720-514: The second ship of the class, Hakugei , was commissioned in 2023. On 30 June 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced the construction of 12 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) by Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at a cost of ¥ 9 billion (US$ 66 million) per ship. The purpose of this OPV program is to provide enhanced maritime security, particularly around

9828-450: The small escort carriers of WWII became available to cover the deep oceans, and the land air bases in the Azores became available in mid-1943 from Portugal . As technology progressed the bombs and depth charges were supplemented with Acoustic torpedoes that could detect, follow and then explode against an enemy submarine. The US Navy began fielding the Mark 24 mine in 1943, labelled as

9936-469: The smaller carriers as " anti-submarine aircraft carriers ". Since helicopter carriers have little built-in attack capability and they primarily fulfill defensive roles such as anti-submarine warfare, the Japanese government argues that the prohibition does not extend to helicopter carriers. With an increase in tensions with North Korea following the 1993 test of the Nodong-1 missile and the 1998 test of

10044-678: The so-called "GIUK Gap" of the North Atlantic that extends from Greenland to Iceland, to the Faroe Islands , to Scotland in the United Kingdom . Air bases for NATO patrol planes have also been located in these areas: U.S. Navy and Canadian aircraft based in Greenland, Iceland, and Newfoundland; British aircraft based in Scotland and Northern Ireland ; and Norwegian, Dutch, and German aircraft based in their home countries. During

10152-411: The southwestern Ryukyu Islands , including the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea , by boosting JMSDF patrol activities in the region. These vessels are highly automated and configurable to meet a wide range of missions involving "enhanced steady-state intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in the waters around Japan". Under the contract, JMU is charged with delivering

10260-428: The strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (国家防衛戦略) outlined Japan's defense policy goals and the means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (防衛力整備計画) outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to

10368-408: The type had entered service during 1976. It has been succeeded in its role by the modernised US-2. Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89 General characteristics Performance Avionics Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Maritime patrol aircraft A maritime patrol aircraft ( MPA ), also known as

10476-540: The wars the British experimented with equipping their patrol aircraft with the COW 37 mm gun . During World War II, depth charges that could be set to detonate at specific depths, and later when in proximity with large metal objects replaced anti-submarine bombs that detonated on contact. Patrol aircraft also carried defensive armament which was necessary when patrolling areas close to enemy territory such as Allied operations in

10584-545: The wartime bombers. The latest jet-powered bombers of the 1950s did not have the endurance needed for long, overwater patrolling, and they did not have the low loitering speeds necessary for antisubmarine operations. The main threat to NATO maritime supremacy throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and the 1980s was Soviet Navy and Warsaw Pact submarines. These were countered by the NATO fleets, the NATO patrol planes mentioned above, and by sophisticated underwater listening systems. These span

10692-555: The world". On 16 November 2022, the guided-missile destroyer Maya fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. On 18 November 2022, the Haguro likewise fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai Island , Hawaii, in cooperation with

10800-543: Was accepted into service during the following year, and eventually 19 aircraft were purchased. From the seventh aircraft on, an uprated version of the original engine was used, all aircraft were eventually modified to this US-1A standard. During the 1990s, by which point the US-1A fleet was beginning to show its age, the JMSDF attempted to obtain funding towards acquiring a replacement, but could not secure enough to develop an entirely new aircraft. Therefore, during 1995, ShinMaywa (as Shin Meiwa had been renamed, reportedly so that

10908-719: Was commissioned in March 2020. Japan and the United States conducted the biggest military exercise around Japan in the biennial Keen Sword from 29 October to 2 November 2018. It included a total of 57,000 sailors, marines and airmen. 47,000 service members were from the JSDF and 10,000 from the U.S. Armed Forces . A naval supply ship and a frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy also participated. There were simulations of air combat, ballistic missile defense and amphibious landings. On 18 December 2018, Japan announced it would refit

11016-447: Was dispatched to protect a U.S. Navy supply vessel in the Pacific. This was the first time the JMSDF was used to defend allied vessels since the 2016 amendment to the Japanese Constitution. Japan christened the 84 m (275 ft 7 in) long, 2,950 t (2,900-long-ton) JS Ōryū submarine on October 4 2018. It is Japan's first submarine powered by lithium-ion batteries and was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries . It

11124-497: Was eventually transferred to the newly formed Maritime Safety Agency , which helped maintain the resources and expertise of the navy. Japan's 1947 Constitution was drawn up after the conclusion of the war, which contained Article 9 , which specified that "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes." The prevalent view in Japan

11232-544: Was fitted with underwing pylons that could carry a variety of common American weapons, including the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, the air-to-ground AGM-65 Maverick , as many as ten of the CBU-100 Cluster Bomb , rocket pods, sea mines, and the standard issue Mark 80 general purpose bombs. The Royal Air Force 's Hawker Siddeley Nimrod was fitted with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles in 1982 during

11340-549: Was introduced during the 2010s by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as a replacement for the aging P-3C Orion . Both the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy met their early postwar MPA needs via a stretched-fuselage modification of the Avro Lincoln bomber. However, the type was soon supplemented and eventually replaced by new aircraft, such as the P2V and later

11448-438: Was laid down in 2012 and was launched on 6 August 2013. The submarine fleet of the JMSDF consists of some of the most technologically advanced diesel-electric submarines in the world. This is due to careful defense planning in which the submarines are routinely retired from service ahead of schedule and replaced by more advanced models. In 2010 it was announced that the Japanese submarine fleet would be increased in size for

11556-523: Was short-lived, as opposing pilots adapted their tactics. Equipping submarines with radar warning receivers and the snorkel made them harder to find. To counter the German long-range patrol aircraft that targeted merchant convoys, the Royal Navy introduced the " CAM ship ", which was a merchant vessel equipped with a lone fighter plane which could be launched once to engage the enemy planes. Later,

11664-618: Was the third time Japanese military vessels had been dispatched overseas since World War II, following the deployments of mine-sweeping units during the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War . The law enabling the mission expired on 2 November 2007, and the operation was temporarily canceled due to a veto of a new bill authorizing the mission by the opposition-controlled upper chamber of the Japanese Diet . In January 2010,

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