JS Aki

JS Aki is a of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Development and design

Hibiki-class vessels have a beam of, a top speed of, and a standard range of. Each vessel has a crew of 40, including five American civilian technicians, and a flight deck for helicopters to operate off of. They are able to deploy on station for 90 days.
The vessels have an Surveillance [Towed Array Sensor System|AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System], which was installed in the United States. Data from the sensors is relayed through the Defense [Satellite Communications System] and processed and shared with the United States. The data is fed into the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System.
Propulsion is provided by four Mitsubishi S6U-MPTK diesel electric engines.

Construction and career

Aki was laid down in October 2018 at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Tamano and Ceremonial [ship launching|launched] on 15 January 2020. She was commissioned on 4 March 2021.