JDS Chikugo

JDS Chikugo (DE-215) was the lead ship of Chikugo-class destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

JS Chikugo
History
Japan
Name	Chikugo (ちくご)
Namesake	Chikugo
Ordered	1967
Builder	Mitsui, Tamano
Laid down	9 December 1968
Launched	13 January 1970
Commissioned	31 July 1971
Decommissioned	15 April 1996
Stricken	1999
Homeport	Sasebo
Identification	Pennant number: DE-215
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Class & type	Chikugo-class destroyer escort
Displacement	1,700–1,800 long tons (1,727–1,829 t) full load
Length	93.0 m (305.1 ft)
Beam	10.8 m (35 ft)
Draught	3.5 m (11 ft)
Depth	7.0 metres (23.0 ft)
Propulsion	CODAD propulsion system 2 × shafts, 4 × diesel engines (16,000 hp (12,000 kW))
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range	5,500 nmi (10,200 km) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	165
Sensors & processing systems	TDS-1 Target Designation System OPS-14 2D air search radar OPS-17 surface search radar FCS-1B gun FCS OQS-3A bow sonar SQS-35(J) VDS SFCS-4 Underwater Battery FCS
Electronic warfare & decoys	NOLR-1B ESM NOLR-5 ESM
Armament	2 × 3"/50 caliber guns 2 × 40 mm AA guns 1 × ASROC ASW missile launcher 2 × triple 324 mm ASW torpedo tubes

Development and design

The Chikugo class was designed as a modified variant of the Isuzu class, the preceding destroyer escort class. The main anti-submarine weapon was changed from the M/50 375 mm (14.8 in) ASW rocket launcher to the ASROC Anti-submarine missile. The octuple launcher for ASROC was stationed at the mid-deck, and the entire ship design was prescribed by this stationing.^[1]

Construction and career

Chikugo was laid down on 9 December 1968 at Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, Tamano, and launched on 13 January 1970. She commissioned on 31 July 1971.

On 26 August 1971, the 34th Escort Corps was newly commissioned under the Sasebo District Force, and was incorporated with JDS Mikuma commissioned on the same day.

Removed from the register on 15 April 1995. Since commissioning, she consistently belonged to the Sasebo District Force for about 26 years, and had a total range of 503,405 nautical miles.^[2]