picture of the day

Izumo

21 Comments

The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF)'s flat-top Izumo is moored at Yokosuka base on Tuesday. It is the biggest Japanese warship since World War Two and has a crew of 470. The 248-meter-long Izumo resembles U.S. Marine Corp amphibious assault carriers in size and design but it is designated as a helicopter destroyer, a label that allows Japan to keep within the bounds of a constitutional ban on owning the means to wage war.

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21 Comments
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I think the lens used to take this photo makes it look much bigger than it actually is. But I guess size doesn't matter...or so they say.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

But I guess size doesn't matter...or so they say.

It affects the number of aircraft carried and what can launch from it's deck. Amount of fuel carried is also a factor, and where it can berth etc.

But if you want a comparison, the Liaoning of the PLAN is larger, which is not surprising as it is a made-for-the-purpose aircraft carrier. But let's all get excited about the Izumo and MSDFbecause ignorance and derp.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

M3M3M3: I think the lens used to take this photo makes it look much bigger than it actually is. But I guess size doesn't matter...or so they say.

To me the photo makes it look smaller, as compared to a couple of WWII carriers I've seen from dockside, from same angle. Those two were smaller than the US carriers on this graphic comparing current world carriers. Izumo is there, too:

https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/800/0*11evh7XLMQqiuUDX.png

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It carries helicopters, not fighter jets. It doesn't have to be huge or have a long flight deck.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It carries helicopters, not fighter jets. It doesn't have to be huge or have a long flight deck.

They could've added a ski-jump and a STOVL flight deck in anticipation of acquiring F-36Bs but nooooo i..Japan is a 'country of peace' and it must appease its Asian neighbors who fear this generation of Japanese who are obsessed with sissy hairdos and 'kawaii' cute things will give them a good hiding again if given the chance.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The Liaoning has never successfully launched an aircraft and wasn't built by the PRC, so I understand why you would be going derp

Have no idea what point your trying to make about who made it. Perhaps you imagine it drifted from the Black Sea into Chinese waters, and the Russians Navy asked the PLAN to help salvage it?

Zero points. Try harder.

As for no successful landings, um, how about getting your facts straight before embarrassing yourself? Or is that not an issue?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_aircraft_carrier_Liaoning#Aircraft_handling

Well that was really hard to disprove. Even ignoring the fact that it was all over the TV last year and the internet (http://news1.linktv.org/videos/make-way-planking-chinese-carrier-style-goes-viral). You must have been living in the wilderness or kidnapped by aliens at the time but welcome back to Earth. The links provided are from Chinese sources by the way, but just in case you still in doubt, here's an English site,

http://english.sina.com/china/2012/1124/530358.html

The earth is not flat by the way. But feel free to provide additional entertainment.

They could've added a ski-jump and a STOVL flight deck in anticipation of acquiring F-36B

Guess you must mean F35Bs. Those number thingies make a difference.

but nooooo i..Japan is a 'country of peace' and it must appease its Asian neighbors who fear this generation of Japanese who are obsessed with sissy hairdos and 'kawaii' cute things will give them a good hiding again if given the chance.

So you're in favour of Japan rearming then? Good.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

But don't you think izumo could provide humanitarian aid if another earthquake / tsunami hits japan again?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

But don't you think izumo could provide humanitarian aid if another earthquake / tsunami hits japan again?

Yes, it could. Having helicopters capable of evacuation or transporting supplies would be very useful.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Even if you place a ski jump and JMSDF suddenly decides to acquire F-35B doesn't automatically mean that they will fly off the ship over night. Many high ranking JSDF officials including the minister himself dismissed the idea since JMSDF simply doesn't have the expertise to fly jet fighters and before going wild arguing that JASDF can provide the pilots, the JASDF is already up to their necks doing scramble take offs to intercept foreign bogies from entering into Japan's ADIZ.

The best way to utilize these ships is to acquire AEW based on V-22 and have JS Izumo patrol the east china sea with the AEW flying overhead.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The best way to utilize these ships is to acquire AEW based on V-22

You're complaining about the Japanese not having the expertise to fly and land on a short runway in the middle of the ocean but encourage its airmen to fly aircraft based on V-22s, a plane that is difficult to land vertically even by well experienced Americans servicemen.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It's the same as flying a helicopters in which JMSDF have a vast amount of experience and more importantly pilots to fly them. The US Navy had already moved ahead in acquire the V-22s as well as JSDF has placed them on this yea'rs budget proposal as well.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

designated as a helicopter destroyer, a label that allows Japan to keep within the bounds of a constitutional ban on owning the means to wage war.

Yeah. There is no way they could wage war with this.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If it quacks like a duck and waddles like a duck, it's a ..............

It's an aircraft carrier, something prohibited indirectly under the Japanese constitution because it's an offensive, rather than defensive, weapon.

Japan bending the truth to fit the circumstances, a bit like why we count rabbits in ichiwa, instead of ippiki, and the main reason Japan will never be a true liberal democracy; there is no respect for the rule of law.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

JMSDF has had helicopter destroyers for years. This just happens to be the biggest one so far. Her helicopters are used in support of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) operations. The ship is equipped with 2 Phalanx CIWS and 2 SeaRAM for her defense.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I think the lens used to take this photo makes it look much bigger than it actually is. But I guess size doesn't matter...or so they say.

Looks like they gave it a little tug too.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So you're in favour of Japan rearming then? Good.

Nope, just stated a simple fact. Japan has a large number of herbivores. The fact they are using a game to promote the SDF says it all. Back on topic, that is one large vessel

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Needs more ordnance!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's just another ship, albeit a particularly multi-functional and extremely useful kind that Japan wishes it had four or five more of in March of 2011.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Is it just me or what? There seems to be a possibility of a major war in the near future. It's like something is quietly brewing. Hmmmmm....I hope it's only my paranoia acting up.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

At 248 meters long... it might be designed to quickly be converted into an Aircraft Carrier.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

patty cake champion: ... but encourage its airmen to fly aircraft based on V-22s, a plane that is difficult to land vertically even by well experienced Americans servicemen.

It's easier now. They updated the software 'n stuff.

http://breakingdefense.com/2012/09/flying-the-osprey-is-not-dangerous-just-different-veteran-pilo/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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