Haruna's nominal peacetime complement was two helicopters, with capacity for three. Visits recalled in the discussion consistently found a third aircraft aboard, an anecdotal observation that helps explain why three often appears as the listed complement. The flight deck was over 50 metres long, allowing two or more helicopters to operate safely. Weapons described across the class's service included Sea Sparrow, ASROC, two Mark 42 5-inch/54 guns, Phalanx, and Mark 32 tubes for Mark 46 torpedoes. Some of those systems arrived during upgrades, so the combined list does not represent the ships exactly as built.
Notable Point · 49:32-51:31
Haruna provides space for three helicopters and a long working deck
The distinction between Haruna's nominal two-aircraft complement and capacity for three clarifies how its long flight deck supported ASW aviation.