Warning: Japan's latest acoustic detection ship commissioned
On March 6, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's latest acoustic detection ship "BINGO" officially entered service. On the same day, a handover ceremony and a flag presentation ceremony for the Self-Defense Forces were held at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Systems headquarters factory in Tachibana City, Okayama Prefecture. It will be deployed to the First Acoustic Detection Unit stationed at Hiroshima-Uwajima Base, which is Japan's only acoustic detection unit.
The mission of an acoustic detection ship is to collect acoustic information (sound waves) and underwater acoustic data from underwater targets such as submarines, making it the "ear in the ocean".
"BINGO" is the fourth acoustic detection ship of the same model in the Maritime Self-Defense Force. The first "Hibiki" was commissioned in 1991, the second in 1992, and the third in 2021. The construction cost of the "BINGO" was approximately 1.96 billion yen (about 860 million Chinese yuan).
The standard displacement of the ship is about 2,900 tons. Compared with ships of the same model, the design time is about 30 years after the commissioning of the first and second ships, and the standard displacement has increased, with adjustments made to the equipment details.
The total length is 67 meters, the full width is 29.9 meters, the depth is 15.3 meters, the shaft horsepower is 3,000 horsepower, and the speed is 11 knots. The crew is approximately 40 people.
This hull is the first catamaran-type ship of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, with a unique shape. It is called SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull), meaning a twin-hull ship with a small waterplane area. A propeller is installed in the two torpedo-shaped hulls, and the aft deck leading to the bridge is a large helicopter landing deck.
The stern is equipped with SURTASS (Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System), a high-performance towed sonar listening device that can detect acoustic information in the sea over a wide area by dragging it behind the ship to collect acoustic information from submarines. There is also a bow thruster on the bow side for lateral movement of the hull.
With the commissioning of the new ship, the Maritime Self-Defense Force's acoustic detection ships form a four-ship system, having more ears, that is, more sensors.
As the stealth performance and covert operational capabilities of enemy submarines improve, the new ship can enhance Japan's ability to collect acoustic information in its surrounding waters.
The First Acoustic Measurement Unit is the only Maritime Self-Defense Force unit without fixed personnel, an机动作战 unit. Personnel can be exchanged among the ships. It is a sub-unit of the Naval Operations and Anti-Submarine Warfare Support Group, with its headquarters located in Funabashi Town, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The acoustic data collected by the acoustic detection ships are sent to the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) departments under the Maritime Operations Center at Yokosuka Base for analysis.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858879954572355/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.