According to a tweet published by the JMSDF on November 21, 2022, Maya-class destroyers JS Maya & Haguro successfully hit targets through SM3 launch tests to confirm BMD function in the vicinity of Hawaii.
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Japanese Maya class destroyer JS Maya. (Picture source: JMSDF)
JS Maya (DDG-179) is the lead ship of her class of guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). She was laid down by Japan Marine United in Yokohama, Kanagawa on April 14, 2017, and was launched on July 30, 2018. She was commissioned on March 19, 2020.
The Maya class of guided-missile destroyers in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is a modified version of the Atago class, with an updated Aegis Combat System and electric propulsion system.
While it shares the same design characteristics as the Atago class, the Maya class possesses a larger hull to install a hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Maya-class destroyers are engineered with a COGLAG (Combined Gas turbine-eLectric And Gas turbine) propulsion system, a modification of the combined gas and gas propulsion system employing electric propulsion for low-speed cruising.
The Maya class features the newer Aegis Weapon System (AWS) Baseline 9C (referred to as J7 in Japan), compared with the Atago class using the Baseline 7 system (now being updated to Baseline 9C with modernization).
As anti-ballistic missiles, these ships are equipped with the SM-3 Block IA, IB, and IIA. The SM-3 Block IIA is the latest variant of the SM-3 missiles, being re-designed drastically to defend broader areas.
These ships have a helicopter deck aft and can carry one helicopter in their hangar. Although they do not carry helicopters typically, especially on JS Haguro, all the necessary equipment is already installed and the helicopter can be put into operation immediately once the aircraft and its personnel are on board.
