Japan Defence Forum

[Suika]

Successful intercept test with SM-3 Block IIA

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The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD), and U.S. Navy sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a flight test Feb. 3 (Hawaii Standard Time), resulting in the first intercept of a ballistic missile target using the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA off the west coast of Hawaii.

The SM-3 Block IIA is being developed cooperatively by the United States and Japan to defeat medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The SM-3 Block IIA interceptor operates as part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system and can be launched from Aegis-equipped ships or Aegis Ashore sites.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time, Feb. 3 (3:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Feb. 4) a medium-range ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai, Hawaii. John Paul Jones detected and tracked the target missile with its onboard AN/SPY-1D(V) radar using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 weapon system. Upon acquiring and tracking the target, the ship launched an SM-3 Block IIA guided missile which intercepted the target.

“Today's test demonstrates a critical milestone in the cooperative development of the SM-3 Block IIA missile,” said MDA Director Vice Adm. Jim Syring. “The missile, developed jointly by a Japanese and U.S. government and industry team, is vitally important to both our nations and will ultimately improve our ability to defend against increasing ballistic missile threats around the world."

Based on preliminary data the test met its primary objective. Program officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.

The flight test, designated SM-3 Block IIA Cooperative Development (SCD) Project Flight Test, Standard Missile (SFTM)-01, was the third flight test of the SM-3 Block IIA guided missile, and the first intercept test. This test also marks the first time an SM-3IIA was launched from an Aegis ship and the first intercept engagement using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 (BMD 5.1) weapon system.

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense is the naval component of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System. The MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD program. The Missile Defense Agency's mission is to develop and deploy a layered Ballistic Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies and friends from ballistic missile attacks of all ranges in all phases of flight.
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[Suika]

Japan recently launched an intelligence gathering satellite to observe North Korea.

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H2A rocket number 33 carrying a governmental intelligence gathering satellite Radar 5 was launched on March 17th 10:20AM from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima prefecture. The satellite was inserted into the planned orbit making for a successful launch. The new type's ability to distinguish objects is about twice as good as the previous type and it's ability to regularly observe at night is greatly improved.

The satellite will be an effective reconnaissance satellite that will observe North Korean military facilities. The radar type of satellite that can observe the Earth's surface even at night or when it is cloudy was able to distinguish objects with a size of about 1 meter. It's thought that Radar 5 can do so at an improved level of about 50 centimeters.

So it's thought that it'll be able to differentiate passenger cars and trucks even at night. Development costs were 37.1 billion yen and the launch cost was 10.6 billion yen. It will be used as the successor to Satellite 3 which has exceeded its designed life span.

The launch was successful as North Korea launched rockets just this month, increasing the necessity for surveillance.

Currently, 3 optical satellites that take pictures during daytime and during clear skies and 3 radar satellites are in operation. At full operation the satellites are able to take pictures of any one place more than once a day. The government plans to launch another optical satellite next fiscal year.

The H2A completed it's 27th consecutive launch success, pushing up the success rate to 96.9%

政府の情報収集衛星レーダー５号機を搭載したＨ２Ａロケット３３号機が１７日午前１０時２０分、鹿児島県の種子島宇宙センターから打ち上げられた。衛星を予定の軌道に投入し、打ち上げは成功した。物体の識別能力が従来の約２倍とみられる新機種で、正常に機能すれば夜間などの監視能力が大きく向上する。

情報収集衛星は北朝鮮の軍事施設などを監視する事実上の偵察衛星。夜間や曇りでも地上を観測できるタイプのレーダー衛星は、識別できる物体の大きさが約１メートルだったが、５号機は約５０センチに向上するとみられる。

これにより夜間でも乗用車とトラックの判別が可能になるとみられる。開発費は３７１億円、打ち上げ費用は１０６億円。設計上の寿命を過ぎた３号機の後継として運用する。

北朝鮮は今月６日にも弾道ミサイルを発射しており、監視の必要性が高まる中での打ち上げ成功となった。

情報収集衛星は日中の晴天時に撮影する光学衛星とレーダー衛星の各３基が運用中。地上の任意の場所を１日１回以上、撮影できる本格運用が行われている。政府は来年度も光学衛星を打ち上げる計画だ。

Ｈ２Ａは２７回連続の成功で、成功率は９６・９％に高まった。
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[CountStrike]

Glad to see Japanese Defense Forum active again after Aepsilons left from PDF.

 

[Suika]

Glad to see Japanese Defense Forum active again after Aepsilons left from PDF.

 

[Suika]

Large air formation at Gifu air show in 2016

Some of the new P-1 patrol aircraft. Japan plans on acquiring more than 70 of them.

 

[Suika]

JS Kaga has entered service today.

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YOKOHAMA--The Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kaga helicopter carrier, its joint-largest warship, was commissioned here on March 22.

The ceremony to deliver the new destroyer to the Defense Ministry was held in a Yokohama shipyard that day.

The Kaga is 248 meters long, equivalent to the Izumo, which went into service in 2015, and has five helipads.

According to the MSDF, the Kaga’s construction costs totaled about 120 billion yen ($1.1 billion). It will be deployed to the No. 4 Escort Flotilla, based in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture.

The Kaga can carry 14 or more helicopters, which will mainly patrol for submarines. Those patrol helicopters will search for Chinese submarines, which are becoming difficult for Japan to detect due to improvements in their capabilities.

The Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that is scheduled to be introduced by the Ground Self-Defense Force can also land on and take off from the Kaga.

The MSDF now possesses four helicopter carriers: the Kaga, the Izumo and two 197-meter-long destroyers.
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(Asahi news)

 

[Suika]

Raising Thunder 2016 in October conducted by the US Army and JGSDF in the US.

JGSDF vehicles getting loaded for their trip later to the US.

Opening ceremony

Urban sniper training

Rifle shooting training

Indoor, ATGM, and vehicle training including a Type 74 tank.

Sports day

 

[Suika]

US Navy and JMSDF joint patrol training in the East China Sea area from March 7th to March 10th. USS Carl Vinson, JS Samidare, JS Sazanami, and a few other USN ships.
http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/info/news/201703/20170310-01.pdf
















https://www.facebook.com/JMSDF.PAO.fp/posts/1378101988918182

 

[samsara]

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) latest Izumo-class helicopter carrier DDH-184 Kaga

https://twitter.com/x/status/844860039915495431

On the naming of the JMSDF helicopter carrier "Kaga" -- Japan's largest warship -- the China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson as well as the Deputy Director of Foreign Ministry Information Department Hua Chunying said at a press conference today (March 23rd, 2017) that "The Battleship Kaga was sunk by the US forces in the World War Two, Japan must learn from the lessons of the past. We hope that the resurgence of Kaga is not the beginning of attempts to restore the Japanese militarism."

 

[Suika]

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) latest Izumo-class helicopter carrier DDH-184 Kaga

https://twitter.com/x/status/844860039915495431

On the naming of the JMSDF helicopter carrier "Kaga" -- Japan's largest warship -- the China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson as well as the Deputy Director of Foreign Ministry Information Department Hua Chunying said at a press conference today (March 23rd, 2017) that "The Battleship Kaga was sunk by the US forces in the World War Two, Japan must learn from the lessons of the past. We hope that the resurgence of Kaga is not the beginning of attempts to restore the Japanese militarism."

Funny how this time, so^called "restored Japanese militarism" will mean additional assurance and security for other countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, and a new strong partner for the US. CCP officials can call it whatever they like. Bottom line is that they don't like it because it challenges their expansionism so they will try to smear Japan's growing defense capabilities as to however they can. Here's an idea, China stops its expansionism, and if Japan continues to build up its military and make threats on the sovereign integrity of those same countries, then China can come in as the hero. Can't be a hero and an expansionist at the sometime China.. use your head.

 

[Suika]

A production model C-2 transport aircraft.

10 are intended to be put into service in the mid-term. Eventually 30 or more. Maximum payload is 36 tons.

The range at the following payloads:
36 tons...4,500km
30 tons...5,700km
20 tons...7,600km
Ferry......9,800km
http://www.mod.go.jp/atla/research/kaihatsusoubi/C-2.html

 

[samsara]

Funny how this time, so^called "restored Japanese militarism" will mean additional assurance and security for other countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, and a new strong partner for the US. CCP officials can call it whatever they like. Bottom line is that they don't like it because it challenges their expansionism so they will try to smear Japan's growing defense capabilities as to however they can. Here's an idea, China stops its expansionism, and if Japan continues to build up its military and make threats on the sovereign integrity of those same countries, then China can come in as the hero. Can't be a hero and an expansionist at the sometime China.. use your head.

It is NOT China that INVADED and OCCUPIED JAPAN and other parts of Asia... and at end came out as a LOSER in World War Two!

Please do NOT TWIST the reality and try to rewrite a new history of your own version!

 

[Suika]

It is NOT China that INVADED and OCCUPIED JAPAN and other parts of Asia... and at end came out as a LOSER in World War Two!

Please do NOT TWIST the reality and try to rewrite a new history of your own version!

Bold letters and blue font in attempt of increasing persuasion power?

It's over 70 years ago. Countries can and do change. Germany has changed. Japan has changed. The US smashed Imperial Japan real good. Completely destroyed that empire. And yet, for some reason now, the same country that destroyed the Empire of Japan is advocating the military support from Japan because China does not appreciate the world order that the US has created after WW2. The same world order that enabled China's great economic raise in the past 3 decades. CCP has some strange ideas.

 

[samsara]

Bold letters and blue font in attempt of increasing persuasion power?

It's over 70 years ago. Countries can and do change. Germany has changed. Japan has changed. The US smashed Imperial Japan real good. Completely destroyed that empire. And yet, for some reason now, the same country that destroyed the Empire of Japan is advocating the military support from Japan because China does not appreciate the world order that the US has created after WW2. The same world order that enabled China's great economic raise in the past 3 decades. CCP has some strange ideas.

He he he China is too big and too smart to live as a vassal state!

If the ruling class in Japan keeps on subjecting its nation and people to live on as a vassal state of the USA, then it is the Japanese fate! The Chinese people do not want to live like that. They have too long the history, traditions, values, awareness and cultures as well as pride to live like that. It is not an option!

Btw you seem to be quite brainwashed to even "APPRECIATE" the "World Order" established by the USA post-World War Two. How can a sane and thinking mind ever appreciate a World Order set up and dictated by ONE sole country??? Only a slave mind who is capable to accept and enjoy it and even feel proud of it...

 

[Suika]

He he he China is too big and too smart to live as a vassal state!

If the ruling class in Japan keeps on subjecting its nation and people to live on as a vassal state of the USA, then it is the Japanese fate! The Chinese people do not want to live like that. They have too long the history, traditions, values, awareness and cultures as well as pride to live like that. It is not an option!

Btw you seem to be quite brainwashed to even "APPRECIATE" the "World Order" established by the USA post-World War Two. How can a sane and thinking mind ever appreciate a World Order set up and dictated by ONE sole country??? Only a slave mind who is capable to accept and enjoy it and even feel proud of it...

Everyone has an opinion of course, your free to your own, so long as it is CCP-approved.




USS Micheal Murphy and JS Teruzuki conduct joint-training in the South China Sea.

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SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- Forward-deployed, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), under U.S. 3rd Fleet command and control, conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki (DD 116) of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), March 17.

Both ships conducted multiple maneuvers around each other under the command of JMSDF Escort Division 6 Commodore, Capt. Masashi Kondo.

"It was a great experience for Michael Murphy to work alongside JS Teruzuki under the tactical control of the Escort Division 6 commodore," said Cmdr. Robert A. Heely, commanding officer, Michael Murphy. "This passing exercise demonstrated our link and communications interoperability, while also honing in on our shiphandling techniques during leapfrog maneuvering drills."

At the conclusion of the PASSEX, Heely was transported to Teruzuki in a rigid hull inflatable boat to meet with Kondo and the commanding officer of Teruzuki.

After a formal gift exchange and friendly conversation, Heely disembarked and returned to Michael Murphy.

"It was a tremendous honor to visit our counterparts on JS Teruzuki, especially after a successful exercise at sea," said Heely. "I enjoyed the opportunity, and it speaks volumes about the great friendship our maritime forces have developed through the years."

Prior to operations in the South China Sea, Michael Murphy conducted training as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group off the coast of Hawaii to improve readiness and cohesion as a strike group. Michael Murphy also conducted an 18-day joint mission with the U.S. Coast Guard in the Central and South Pacific under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) to combat transnational crimes, enforce fisheries laws and enhance regional security.

U.S. Navy carrier strike groups have regularly patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific for more than 70 years and will continue to do so. Carl Vinson has deployed to the region several times, starting with a deployment to the western Pacific in 1983, one year after commissioning. Most recently in 2015, Carl Vinson Conducted port visits and exercises with regional navies in the South China Sea.

Commissioned Oct. 6, 2012, USS Michael Murphy is named after former U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy. Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan, June 28, 2005. He was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan and was the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of operations.
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http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=99466