Japanese shipbuilder unveils landing helicopter dock design

The JMU design in anticipation of a future LHD requirement by the JMSDF. Photo c/o JMU.

During the recently concluded DSEI Japan 2019 defense exhibition in Chiba, shipbuilder Japan Marine United (JMU) unveiled a new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) amphibious assault ship design that it plans to propose to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).

This proposal was made by JMU despite the Japanese government not publicly raising a requirement for a similar assault ship. JMU officials mentioned that this design was made in anticipation of a possible requirement by the JMSDF in the near future.

JMU’s LHD design will have a full-length flight deck enabling the operation of five (5) helicopters including tilt-rotors like the V-22 Osprey, all at the same time, a deck elevator, and two aircraft hangar for five additional helicopters. More space is available to allow for other purposes, or as additional aircraft hangar.

The LHD will have a rear well deck enabling direct deployment of amphibious assault vehicles and air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC), which is not present on the JMSDF’s Izumo-class “multi-purpose destroyers”.

Two (2) LCACs can be accommodated, as well as up to 20 amphibious assault vehicles like the BAE Systems AAV7A1 that the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) currently use.

It will also have a capability for conventional roll-on/roll-off operations for vehicle loading / unloading at port.

The ship will be around 220 meters long, a beam of 38 meters and a draught of 7 meters, will have a displacement of around 19,000 tons, will have a top speed of around 24 knots, and a standing crew of around 500 officers and sailors. This puts the JMU LHD design as a smaller ship than China’s new Type 075 LHD and South Korea’s proposed LPH-II design.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] The Drive – The Warzone