Miura-class tank landing ship

The Miura-class landing ship tank is a class of three tank landing ships (LSTs) that served with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from 1975 to 2002. They were primarily deployed for logistic support but were also used to carry heavy construction equipment such as trenchers.

Description
The three Miura-class tank landing ships (LSTs) had a standard displacement of 2,000 LT and 3,200 LT at full load. They were 94 m long between perpendiculars and 98 m overall with a beam of 14 m and a draft of 3 m. Ships in the class were powered by two Kawasaki-MAN V8V 22/30 AMTL diesel engines turning two shafts rated at 4,400 bhp. This gave them a maximum speed of 14 kn and they carried enough diesel fuel for a range of 4300 nmi at 12 kn.

Vessels of the class carried two Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVPs) and two Landing Craft Mechanized (LCMs). The LCVPs were slung under davits and a traveling gantry crane with folding rails that could be extended over the side handled the two LCMs positioned on the foredeck. The LSTs could carry up to 200 troops or 1800 LT of cargo, or ten Type 74 main battle tanks. The Miura class were armed with twin-mounted US Mark 33 76 mm/50 caliber guns situated forward in a single turret and a twin-mounted 40 mm guns in a single turret placed aft. The LSTs were equipped with OPS-14 air search and OPS-16 surface search radar. For fire control, Miura mounted a 72-1B for the 76 mm guns and US Mk 51 fire control for the 40 mm guns. The other two vessels were equipped with US Mk 63 fire control for the 76 mm guns and US Mk 51 for the 40 mm guns. They had a complement of 118 officers and crew.

Service history
Three tank landing ships were ordered from Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries and constructed in Tokyo, Japan. The first of the class, Miura entered service in 1975 with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), with Ojika following in 1976 and Satsuma in 1977. Primarily used for logistic support, the Miura class has also been used to trial new guns for the JMSDF, which Satsuma did with the OTO Melara 76 mm Compact gun.