Abukuma-class destroyer escort

JS Tone, Sendai, and Oyodo (from left) in port
Class overview
Builders: Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Limited and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Operators:  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by: Yubari class
Built: 1988–1991
In commission: 1989–
Planned: 11
Completed: 6
Cancelled: 5
Active: 6
General characteristics
Class and type: Abukuma class destroyer escort / frigate
Displacement:
  • 2,000 tons standard
  • 2,550 tons full load
Length: 357 ft (109 m)
Beam: 44 ft (13 m)
Draft: 12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion:
Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h)
Complement: 120
Sensors and
processing systems:		 FCS-2
Armament:

The Abukuma class destroyer escort (or frigate) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is the successor of the earlier Yubari-class.

This class was planned to replace the earlier Isuzu-class and possess both ASW capability as the successor of the Chikugo-class and ASuW capability as the successor of the Yubari-class, but there are many enhancements as follows:

Introduction of stealth technology.
This class is the first combatant ship of the JMSDF with stealth technology. Their superstructure has traditional vertical surfaces, but their hulls are angled to reduce their radar cross section.
Enhanced electronics.
This is the first destroyer escort class with the Naval Tactical Data System and OYQ-7 combat direction system. It is also the first destroyer escort class which has ECM capability with the OLT-3 jammer.
Modified weapon systems.
The Short Range Air Defense system comprises the OPS-14 air-search radar, the OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar, one Otobreda 76 mm rapid-firing gun controlled by the FCS-2 fire-control system and Phalanx CIWS. The OPS-14 is the Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-49 radar, and the OPS-28 is the equivalent of the American TAS Mk.23. Phalanx CIWS has given the ships an improved self-defence capability against anti-ship missiles. Mk.31 RAM GMWS Point Defense Missile System was planned, but it is not installed yet.
The ASW system comprises an OQS-8 hull-sonar (Japanese equivalent of the American DE-1167), ASROC anti-submarine rocket from the Type 74 octuple launcher (Japanese license-built version of the American Mark 16 GMLS) and lightweight ASW torpedoes from two HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes. A Tactical Towed-Array Sonar System was planned but it is not installed yet.

The JMSDF intended to build eleven ships of this class, but finally, only six were built because Hatsuyuki-class destroyers started deploying in distinct forces. All six vessels of the class are named after World War II cruisers.

Ships in the class

Pennant no. Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Home port
DE-229 Abukuma 17 March 1988 21 December 1988 12 December 1989 Maizuru
DE-230 Jintsu 14 April 1988 31 January 1989 28 February 1990 Ominato
DE-231 Oyodo 8 March 1989 19 December 1989 23 January 1991 Sasebo
DE-232 Sendai 14 April 1989 26 January 1990 15 March 1991 Sasebo
DE-233 Chikuma 14 February 1991 25 January 1992 24 February 1993 Ominato
DE-234 Tone 8 February 1991 6 December 1991 8 February 1993 Sasebo

See also

Media related to Abukuma class frigates at Wikimedia Commons

Notes

    References

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