Osumi class Amphibious Landing Ship Transport Dock LST JMSDF

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force / JMSDF
Osumi class Tank Landing Ship - LST
(or Amphibious Transport Dock)

osumi class amphibious tank landing ship transport dock japan maritime self defense force jmsdf 07x

10/22

Ships:

LST-4001 JS Osumi
LST-4002 JS Shimokita
LST-4003 JS Kunisaki

Specifications:

Length: 178 meters (584 feet 0 inches)
Beam: 25.8 meters (84 ft 8 in)
Draft: 6 meters (19 ft 8 in) / 17 meters (55 ft 9 in), max.
Displacement: 8900 tons (standard) / 13000 tons (full load)
Speed: 22 knots (41 km/h)
Range: ?
Complement: 137

Propulsion:
DIESEL
2 x Mitsui 16V42M-A diesel engines (26000 bhp / 19000 kW)
2 shafts / 2 controllable pitch propellers / 1 bow thruster

Aviation:
flight deck for up to 8 helicopters

Armament:
2 x Mk.15 Phalanx Close-In-Weapon-System (CIWS)

Amphibious capacity:
well deck for 2 x Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)
up to 10 main battle tanks
330 troops

Systems:
OPS-14C air search radar
OPS-28D surface search radar
OPS-20 navigation radar
TACAN

The Ōsumi class is a Japanese amphibious transport dock. The class is also known as the Oosumi class. While the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) describes the Ōsumi class as tank landing ships (LSTs), they lack the bow doors and beaching capability traditionally associated with LSTs. Functionally, their well deck makes the Ōsumi class more like a dock landing ship (LSD).

The Ōsumi class increases its carrying capacity with a flat-top open air upper vehicle parking deck, it has an elevated island superstructure offset to starboard giving the appearance of a small aircraft carrier though the helicopter flight deck only comprises the stern of the ship. Small deck elevators accessing the enclosed lower parking deck are for vehicles rather than helicopters, the lower vehicle deck has access to the well deck. There is no enclosed aircraft hangar and any helicopters are tied down topside.

The MSDF developed the Maritime Operational Transport concept as an alternative to what was then (mid-1990s) the politically denied development of an amphibious doctrine. This concept is intended to "deliver JGSDF reinforcement units to an area where an enemy landing is possible or probable, or where an enemy has already landed but that is still under Japanese control. The point is that the landings would be on Japanese territory, not foreign soil. So, in theory, this concept does not involve amphibious assault. The tempo of helicopter transport and the types of helicopters required would be very different from those in an assault amphibious landing."

The Ōsumis gives the JMSDF a modest lift capability, especially in defense of the outer islands. The Ōsumi class enables the transport of ground troops to strategic locations, and the rescue of civilians in case of large scale natural disaster. The hull features armored and opening deck. The rear of hull houses an armored landing deck for two large CH-47 helicopters. The well dock in the rear of the ship houses the two Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft. Forward, there is a 100 m (328 ft 1 in) deck below the main deck, but the single elevator accessing these spaces is too small for anything but a small helicopter. A VSTOL aircraft or a larger helicopter will simply not fit on the elevator. These spaces below the forward main deck are used primarily for vehicle storage so those fighting and/or armored vehicles can access the well deck.

source: wikipedia

images
for more images go to the individual ship-site

osumi class amphibious tank landing ship transport dock japan maritime self defense force jmsdf lst-4001 12x

LST-4001 JS Osumi

osumi class amphibious tank landing ship transport dock japan maritime self defense force jmsdf lst-4002 shimokita 37x

LST-4002 JS Shimokita

osumi class amphibious tank landing ship transport dock japan maritime self defense force jmsdf lst-4003 kunisaki 04x

LST-4003 JS Kunisaki

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