Japan's fourth Hibiki-class vessel, Bingo , seen here at its launch ceremony. (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has launched the fourth Hibiki-class ocean surveillance vessel on order for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
The vessel, which has been named Bingo , was launched by MHI at its Tamano Shipyard on 17 February, the JMSDF announced on the same day.
Bingo was laid down by MHI in 2024 and funding for its acquisition was approved in Japan's defence budget for fiscal year 2022.
Similar to other vessels in the Hibiki class, Bingo has been built with the small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) vessel form factor.
It has an overall length of 67 m and displaces about 3,800 tonnes at full load.
Powered by four Mitsubishi diesel engines, the vessel has a top speed of 11 kt and a towing speed of 3 kt. It can attain a standard range of 3,800 n miles at 10 kt and can accommodate one helicopter on its flight deck.
As with its sister vessels, Bingo will likely be equipped with the Japanese version of the AN/UQQ-2 surveillance towed array sensor system (SURTASS).
When in deep waters, the towed array system can be operated in the 1,800 m form or reconfigured as a ‘twin-line towed array' with two shorter 800 m cables when operating in littoral waters.
For more information, please seeHibiki class (OCEAN SURVEILLANCE SHIPS) (AGOSH) .
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