Abukuma-class destroyer escort
{{Short description|General-purpose destroyer escort class in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2024}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=JS Ōyodo (DE-231).jpg |Ship image size=300px |Ship caption=JS Ōyodo in Maizuru port }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name= |Builders=*Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Limited |Operators={{navy|Japan}} |Class before={{sclass|Yūbari|destroyer escort|4}} |Class after={{sclass|Mogami|frigate|4}} |Subclasses= |Cost= |Built range=1988–1991 |In service range= |In commission range=1989–present |Total ships building= |Total ships planned=11 |Total ships completed=6 |Total ships cancelled=5 |Total ships active=6 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type=Destroyer escort |Ship displacement=*2,000 tons standard
|Ship length= {{convert|357|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship beam= {{convert|44|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draft= {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship power= |Ship propulsion=*CODOG, two shafts
|Ship speed= {{convert|27|kn|km/h}} |Ship range= |Ship endurance= |Ship boats= |Ship troops= |Ship complement=120 |Ship sensors= *OPS-14 air search radar |Ship EW= |Ship armament=*8 × Harpoon missiles
|Ship armor= |Ship aircraft= |Ship aircraft facilities= |Ship notes= }} |
The Abukuma-class destroyer escort (or frigate) ({{langx|ja|あぶくま型護衛艦|Abukumagatagoeikan}}) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It is the successor of the earlier {{sclass|Yūbari|destroyer escort|4}}.{{Cite web|title=Abukuma Class Destroyer Escorts |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/abukuma-class/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130427090112/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/abukuma-class/ |archive-date=2013-04-27 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-US}} They are being replaced by the {{sclass|Mogami|frigate|1}}s.{{Cite web|last=Fish |first=Tim |date=2022-04-11 |title=Japan Countering China's Naval Build-up with Modern Fleet |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/04/11/japan-countering-chinas-naval-build-up-with-modern-fleet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220413061518/https://news.usni.org/2022/04/11/japan-countering-chinas-naval-build-up-with-modern-fleet |archive-date=2022-04-13 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}
Design
This class was planned to replace the earlier {{sclass|Isuzu|destroyer escort|4}} and possess both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, as the successor of the {{sclass|Chikugo|destroyer escort|4}}, and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability, as the successor of the Yūbari class, but there are many enhancements, as follows below.
= 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 a 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 {{convert|324|mm|in|abbr=on}} 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 {{sclass|Hatsuyuki|destroyer}}s started deploying in distinct forces. All six vessels in this class are named after Japanese rivers.
Ships in the class
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Pennant no. || Name || Laid down || Launched || Commissioned || Home port | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE-229 | {{ship|JS|Abukuma | 2}}
| 17 March 1988 | 21 December 1988
| 12 December 1989 | Kure |
| DE-230 | {{ship|JS|Jintsū | 2}}
| 14 April 1988 | 31 January 1989
| 28 February 1990 | Sasebo |
| DE-231 | {{ship|JS|Ōyodo | 2}}
| 8 March 1989 | 19 December 1989
| 23 January 1991 | Ominato |
| DE-232 | {{ship|JS|Sendai | 2}}
| 14 April 1989 | 26 January 1990
| 15 March 1991 | Maizuru |
| DE-233 | {{ship|JS|Chikuma | 2}}
| 14 February 1991 | 25 January 1992
| 24 February 1993 | Ominato |
| DE-234 | {{ship|JS|Tone | 2}}
| 8 February 1991 | 6 December 1991
| 8 February 1993 | Kure |
See also
Notes
{{reflist}}
References
{{Commons category}}
- Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006
- {{cite book|first= Eric |last=Wertheim|title= Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems|year= 2007|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=978-1-59114-955-2|pages=385–386|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C}}
{{Abukuma-class destroyer escort}}
{{Combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force}}
{{Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding|state=autocollapse}}