The Aichi E11A ("Kyujuhachi Yatei") was an Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat used during the first year of World War II for maritime patrol duties. The Allied reporting name for the type was "Laura"; the Japanese Navy designation was "Type 98 Reconnaissance Seaplane". The Type 98 was quite similar to the earlier E10A Type 96, whose allied name was "Hank". Lauras" were rare - only 17 were built, and its intended use appears to be equally rare - launched from cruisers or battleships in order to spot the shellfire of opposing ships at night. The Type 98s were soon diverted from patrol to communications and transport duties.