Baby Carrier Commissioned
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Japan’s new aircraft carrier helicopter carrying destroyer was commissioned yesterday. Hyuga can carry up to eleven helicopters, and may in the future be able to carry the F-35B VSTOL fighter. But don’t call Hyuga an aircraft carrier.
In other maritime news, there is some confusion about the hull numbering for the LCS. US naval practice is never to re-use hull numbers, even if the ship in question is never built. This is why, for example, the original South Dakota was BB-49, and the second South Dakota was BB-57, despite the fact that the original South Dakota was never constructed. It’s also why there are wide gaps in the CV listings. Anyway, the Navy is violating this policy for the LCS; LCS 1 and 2 have been built, but 3 and 4 have been canceled, and the Navy now wants to re-use the numbers 3 and 4. Not the most earth-shattering news in the world, but now you know…