Ibuki-class aircraft carrier

The Ibuki-class carriers are the first post-Endwar Yamataian carriers with the capability for a rolling take-off, and they are equipped with ski-jumps to facilitate short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) operations. Prior to the Ibuki-class, the Imperial Navy's smaller Zuikaku-class and Kitagawa-class required aircraft to vertically take-off and land. The vessels have a displacement of 19,500 tons empty and 26,000 tons at full load, and carry a carrier air wing of 28 aircraft. They are the largest post-Endwar Yamataian carriers thus far, and are expected to be used to escort the missile cruisers that remain at the core of Yamataian naval tactics.

The development of the vessels faced numerous challenges, with plans having existed for a STOVL carrier since the 1980s, under the name Project Tenba. Political turmoil following the 1991 coup attempt delayed plans to commence with Project Tenba, and following the successful construction of the cheaper VTOL-only Zuikaku-class, Project Tenba languished on the drawing board for almost two decades. Following the 2010 Masukan War and the exposed shortcomings of the Zuikaku-class, interest was regained for the STOVL carrier concept, and the project was approved by the Teikoku Gikai in 2012.

Development
Due to the prevailing economic situation and the close-range threat of communist Hinomoto, post-war Yamatai did not require an aircraft carrier and did not pursue aircraft carrier development until the 1980s, when there was an increased interest in enabling Yamataian power projection in the Varunan and Crosswind Sea regions to defend Yamataian interests. The Yamataian Ministry of Defence first announced plans for a STOVL carrier on 23 November 1986, starting a design contest for what would become known as Project Tenba. The ship's primary mission was to provide air support for the missile cruisers and amphibious landing operations, as well as anti-submarine warfare. The ship's usefulness in disaster relief efforts was also a consideration.

However, following the 1991 coup attempt by Imperial Army officers, the government increased scrutiny over the military branches and temporarily cut the Ministry of Defence's budget in 1992. Project Tenba was one of the first projects to be shelved, especially since the Zuikaku-class VTOL carriers had already been laid down. The subsequent success of the Zuikaku-class VTOL carriers eventually led to the development of the Kitagawa-class VTOL carriers, believed to be adequate for the operation of the Kawazaki Ki-62 Tengu II V/STOL fighter.

Combat experience during the 2010 Masukan War proved otherwise, however, and the VTOL-only concept made aircraft turnaround times slower and expended more fuel, decreasing the range of the Imperial Navy's fighters. A report by the Imperial Navy strongly suggested that the only Yamataian aircraft loss of the war, a Ki-62 flown by Major Kuze Taro, was partly due to the VTOL-only capabilities of the Imperial Navy's carriers. An independent study commissioned by the Teikoku Gikai suggested that Yamatai required a new aircraft carrier capable of at least STOVL operations in order to improve effectiveness in wartime conditions, and in order to properly oppose potential adversaries such as Arshavat and Sahil.

In April 2011, the budget the Ministry of Defence requested for Project Tenba was approved by the Teikoku Gikai, and construction began on the first ship of the class, Carrier 192, in 2011 by IHEI Marine in Noro. The lead ship of the class, Yamataian Aircraft Carrier Ibuki (空母-192) was commissioned in 2014. The second ship of the class, Yamataian Aircraft Carrier Kurama (空母-193), was subsequently commissioned in 2016. Initially planned to be a class of two ships, the Ministry of Defence announced plans to order an additional two Ibuki-class carriers in the 2018 fiscal year, following the Teikoku Gikai's rejection of the new Project Genbu supercarrier concept. The next two ships of the class, Carrier 194 and Carrier 195, were laid down in late 2018.

Design
The Ibuki-class aircraft carrier carries up to 28 aircraft, typically including 15 Ki-62 V/STOL fighters and 5 ASW helicopters. The Ibuki-class can also carry tiltrotor aircraft. The ship has a 245m-long flight deck, with a ski-jump for STOVL takeoff operations. The flight deck also has 5 landing spots for VTOL operation, allowing for simultaneous landings or take-offs. As there is no angled flight deck, fighters have to land in VTOL configuration. There are two elevators to the hangar belowdeck, one is located on the starboard side towards the stern, while the other is forward of the island in the middle of the flight deck.

Armed only for self-defence, the Ibuki-class is equipped with two Sukimoto 20mm cannons and two Mitsuhishi  rolling airframe missile close-in weapons systems for point defence. The carrier relies mostly on escort destroyers and the guided missile cruiser leading its battlegroup for defence.

The ships are conventionally powered by a Combined Gas Turbine and Gas Turbine (COGAG) system, using four IHEI Ro25000YuRu gas turbines to produce 112,000 hp. Reportedly, the propulsion system of the Ibuki-class was of intense scrutiny from the Chiseian Royal Navy, due to alleged Yamataian espionage activities during the construction of Chisei's nuclear-powered Kamushain-class aircraft carrier. The Imperial Navy reportedly invited Chiseian inspectors to personally verify that the Ibuki-class had nothing in common with the Kamushain-class.

For operations such as disaster relief, the carriers are also able to carry 400 personnel and 50 3.5 ton trucks or equivalent equipment.

Ships in the class
Four Ibuki-class carriers are planned, with two already in service. All four ships are named after mountains in the Ibuki mountain range in northern Yamatai.