Yūsha-class amphibious assault ship

TNS Yusha (AAV-104)
Class overview
Builders:	Ein Shipbuilding Co.
Operators:	UST Navy Imperial Taoist Navy
Preceded by:	Shinano-class
Built:	1995–1998
In commission:	1997–present
Planned:	2
Completed:	2
Active:	2
General characteristics
Type:	Amphibious assault ship
Displacement:	8,900 tons standard 14,000 tons full load
Length:	178 m (584 ft)
Beam:	25.8 m (85 ft)
Draught:	17 m (56 ft)
Draft:	6 m (20 ft)
Propulsion:	2x Ein Heavy Industries diesel engines (2 shaft, 26,000 bhp)
Speed:	22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Complement:	138 sailors 330 troops
Sensors and processing systems:	YERS-12 air radar YERS-56 surface radar
Armament:	4 x Sūkikyō CIWS
Aircraft carried:	Up to 8 helicopters
Notes:	Can carry upto 1,000 troops for a short period of time Can carry up to 10 MBTs

The Yusha-class amphibious assault ship is a amphibious assault ship constructed for the United States of the Tao Navy, and operated by the Imperial Taoist Navy (ITN). While the ITN describes the Yusha class as tank landing ships, they lack the bow doors and beaching capability traditionally associated with such vessels. Functionally, their good deck makes the Yusha class more like a dock landing ship (LSD).

As of 2018, there are 2 Yusha class vessels active with the Imperial Taoist Navy.

Development

The first Tao Times report on the Yusha class noted that "the program originated in a proposal for a small carrier for defensive and mine countermeasures (MCM) purposes, but this was deemed "necessary considering the USTs need for such vessels" at the time, and the project was reworked as an amphibious assault ship. Later the USTN returned to the idea of helicopter carriers with the larger Shokaku and Hinoryu classes.

The Yusha class increases its carrying capacity with a flat-top open air upper vehicle parking deck, it has an elevated island superstructure offset to starboard giving the appearance of a small aircraft carrier (it is unkown whether or not this was intentional) though the helicopter flight deck only comprises the stern of the ship. Small deck elevators accessing the enclosed lower parking deck are for vehicles rather than helicopters, the lower vehicle deck has access to the well deck. There is no enclosed aircraft hangar and any helicopters are tied down topside.

At least one member of the class, TNS Yusha (AAV-104), participated in the invaion of the Rengo island.

In January 2015, The UST Chancellory of Defence (CoD) confirmed reports that it would consider a major refit on the Yusha-class amphibious assault ships to embark tiltrotor helicopters, and Ground Assault Amphibious Vehicles (GAAV) to improve their amphibious capabilities.

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Homeport
AAV-104	Yūsha	13 February 1995	24 January 1996	15 June 1997	Aoba
AAV-105	Yūkan'na	21 November 1997	2 October 1998	21 March 2000	Neshito