According to a tweet published by the Japanese Mod on December 7, 2022, the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Izumo conducted a bilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise with the US Navy's MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter in the south of Kanto.
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US Navy's MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and helicopter carrier JS Izumo. (Picture source: JMSDF)
JS Izumo (DDH-183) is a helicopter carrier that, as of 2022, is being converted into a light aircraft carrier. Officially classified as a multi-purpose operation destroyer, she is the lead ship in the Izumo class of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
In 2020, Izumo began the conversion to operate F-35B fighter aircraft. Conversion works were to proceed in two stages, with the first to strengthen the heat resistance of the deck and install power supply equipment to enable the departure and arrival of the F-35B.
The renovation work to change the bow shape to a quadrangle for the safe operation of the F-35B and the maintenance of the interior compartments are scheduled to be carried out in the second stage, starting from the end of 2024.
The ship can carry up to 28 aircraft, or 14 larger aircraft. Only seven ASW helicopters and two SAR helicopters are planned for the initial aircraft complement.
For other operations, 400 troops and 50 3.5-ton trucks (or equivalent equipment) can also be carried. The flight deck has five helicopter landing spots that allow simultaneous landings and take-offs.
The Japanese ship has a length of 248 m (813 ft 8 in), a beam of 38 m (124 ft 8 in), and a draft of 7.5 m (24 ft 7 in), she can reach a top speed of 30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h).
The aircraft carrier JS Izumo is equipped with two Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and two SeaRAM Close-In Weapon Systems for her defense.
