Abukuma-class destroyer escort

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

JS Tone, Sendai, and Oyodo (from left) in port
Class overview
Builders:
Operators:  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by: Yubari class
Succeeded by: 30DX frigate
Built: 1988–1991
In commission: 1989–
Planned: 11
Completed: 6
Cancelled: 5
Active: 6
General characteristics
Type: Destroyer escort
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:

Design

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.

Electronic warfare

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.

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.NameLaid downLaunchedCommissionedHome port
DE-229Abukuma 17 March 198821 December 1988 12 December 1989Maizuru
DE-230Jintsū 14 April 198831 January 1989 28 February 1990Ominato
DE-231Ōyodo 8 March 198919 December 1989 23 January 1991Sasebo
DE-232Sendai 14 April 198926 January 1990 15 March 1991Sasebo
DE-233Chikuma 14 February 199125 January 1992 24 February 1993Ominato
DE-234Tone 8 February 19916 December 1991 8 February 1993Sasebo
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See also

Notes

    References
    • Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006
    • Eric Wertheim (2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Naval Institute Press. pp. 385–386. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.
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