Murasame-class destroyer (1994)

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For other ships with the same name, see Murasame-class destroyer (disambiguation).
JS Samidare in Pearl Harbor
Class overview
NameMurasame class
BuildersIHI Tokyo Shipyard and Japan Marine United
Operators Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded byAsagiri class
Succeeded byTakanami class
Built1993–2000
In commission1996–present
Planned14
Completed9
Cancelled5
Active9
General characteristics
TypeGeneral-purpose destroyer
Displacement
  • 4,550 tons standard,
  • 6,200 tons full load
Length151 m (495 ft 5 in)
Beam17.4 m (57 ft 1 in)
Draft5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)
Propulsion
Speed30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Complement165
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × SH-60J/K anti-submarine helicopter

The Murasame-class destroyer (むらさめ型護衛艦, Murasame-gata-goei-kan) is a class of destroyers, serving with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). This is the first class of the second-generation general-purpose destroyers of the JMSDF.[1]

Background[edit]

Since FY1977, the JMSDF started construction of general-purpose destroyers (汎用護衛艦, Hanyou-goei-kan) under the eight ships / eight helicopters concept.[2] In this concept, each flotillas would be composed of one helicopter destroyer (DDH), five general-purpose destroyers (DD), and two guided-missile destroyers (DDG).[3] By FY1986, construction of twenty first-generation DDs (twelve Hatsuyuki class and eight Asagiri class) required for all four flotillas had been completed.[2]

In the original plan, it was supposed to shift to destroyer escorts for local District Forces afterwards. However, if the use of these first-generation DDs was continued to the full extent of ships' life, the relative performance obsolescence was concerned. Thus the JMSDF decided to advance the construction of the new generation DDs. And this was the first class of the second-generation DDs.[1]

Except for Kirisame, all ships of the class are named after Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers sunk in World War II.

Design[edit]

The hull design was completely renovated from first-generation DDs. In addition to increasing the size in order to reduce the underwater radiation noise, both superstructure and hull were inclined to reduce the radar cross-section. There is however no angled tripod mainmast like the one of the American Arleigh Burke-class destroyer because of the heavy weather of the Sea of Japan in winter. The aft was designed like a "mini-Oranda-zaka" as with the Kongō class to avoid interference between helicopters and mooring devices.[4][Note 1]

The engine arrangement is COGAG as same as Asagiri class, but a pair of engines are updated to Spey SM1C. And the remaining one pair are replaced by LM2500, same as Kongō class.[4]

Equipment[edit]

The basic configuration of the equipment is the same as first-generation DDs, but they are updated and enhanced throughout. Concepts of its combat system were partly based on those of Kongō class. Two large-screen displays and OJ-663 consoles are introduced in its OYQ-9 combat direction system as Aegis Weapon System (AWS). And OYQ-103 ASW combat systems, based on OYQ-102 of Kongō class and indirectly AN/SQQ-89, present an integrated picture of the tactical situation by receiving, combining, and processing active and passive sensor data from the hull-mounted array, towed array and sonobuoys.[6]

The advanced OPS-24 active electronically scanned array radar and OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar introduced into the fleet with the latter batch of the Asagiri class remain on board, and there are some new systems like the NOLQ-3 electronic warfare suite and OQS-5 bow-mounted sonar.[4]

To enhance the low-observability and combat readiness capability, vertical launching systems were adopted on its missile systems: Mk 41 for VL-ASROC and Mk 48 for Sea Sparrow replace the traditional swivel octuple launchers. And the surface-to-surface missile system is alternated by the SSM-1B of Japanese make.[4] Currently, ships of this class have been switching the point defense missile system from the traditional Sea Sparrow (RIM-7M) to the Evolved Sea Sparrow by FY2012.[7]

The aircraft facility is expanded to accommodate two shipboard helicopters. One Mitsubishi SH-60J/K is a basic load, and another can be accommodated in case of overseas operation.[2]

Ships in the class[edit]

Pennant no. Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Homeport
DD-101 Murasame (Village Rain) 18 August 1993 23 August 1994 12 March 1996 Yokosuka
DD-102 Harusame (Spring Rain) 11 August 1994 16 October 1995 24 March 1997 Sasebo
DD-103 Yūdachi (Evening Downpour) 18 March 1996 19 August 1997 4 March 1999 Ominato
DD-104 Kirisame (Drizzle) 3 April 1996 21 August 1997 18 March 1999 Headquarters: Kure
Home port: Sasebo
DD-105 Inazuma (Sudden Lightning) 8 May 1997 9 September 1998 15 March 2000 Kure
DD-106 Samidare (Poetic term for the Rainy Season) 11 September 1997 24 September 1998 21 March 2000 Kure
DD-107 Ikazuchi (Ferocious Thunder) 25 February 1998 24 June 1999 14 March 2001 Yokosuka
DD-108 Akebono (Light of Daybreak) 29 October 1999 25 September 2000 19 March 2002 Kure
DD-109 Ariake (Daybreak) 18 May 1999 16 October 2000 6 March 2002 Sasebo

Gallery[edit]

  • JS Murasame, JS Harusame, JS Yudachi and JS Kirisame in Pearl Harbor
    JS Murasame, JS Harusame, JS Yudachi and JS Kirisame in Pearl Harbor
  • JS Harusame
    JS Harusame
  • JS Inazuma
    JS Inazuma
  • JS Ariake
    JS Ariake
  • JS Ariake
    JS Ariake
  • JS Ikazuchi
    JS Ikazuchi
  • JS Ikazuchi
    JS Ikazuchi
  • Type 90 (SSM-1B) launcher of Murasame class
    Type 90 (SSM-1B) launcher of Murasame class
  • 76 mm 62 cal compact gun
    76 mm 62 cal compact gun

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Destroyers built under the First Defense Build-up Plan, including the former Murasame class, adopted a unique long forecastle style called "Oranda-zaka".[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Kōda 2015, pp. 220–223.
  2. ^ a b c Kōda 2015, pp. 188–207.
  3. ^ Kōda 2015, pp. 167–169.
  4. ^ a b c d Abe 2000, pp. 152–157.
  5. ^ Abe 2000, pp. 54–68.
  6. ^ Yamazaki 2011.
  7. ^ Ministry of Defense, ed. (2011). Administrative review sheet for FY2011 (PDF) (Report) (in Japanese).

Books[edit]

Articles[edit]

  • Abe, Yasuo (July 2000). "History of JMSDF Destroyers". Ships of the World (in Japanese) (571). Kaijinn-sha. NAID 40002155847.
  • Fujiki, Heihachiro (August 2003). "Development of multi-purpose DDs for "8-8 escort flotilla". Ships of the World (in Japanese) (614). Kaijinn-sha: 94–99. NAID 40005855328.
  • Yamazaki, Makoto (October 2011). "Combat systems of modern Japanese destroyers". Ships of the World (in Japanese) (748). Kaijin-sha: 98–107. NAID 40018965310.

External links[edit]

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