JDS Kitakami

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese ship Kitakami.

JDS Kitakami (DE-213) is the third ship of Ikazuchi-class destroyer escort of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

JDS Kitakami
History
Japan
Name	Kitakami (きたかみ)
Namesake	Kitakami
Ordered	1960
Builder	IHI, Tokyo
Laid down	7 July 1962
Launched	21 June 1963
Commissioned	27 February 1964
Decommissioned	31 January 1990
Stricken	16 November 1993
Homeport	Ominato
Identification	Pennant number: DE-213, ASU-7016
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Class & type	Isuzu-class destroyer escort
Displacement	1,490 long tons (1,514 t) standard 1,700 long tons (1,727 t) full load
Length	94.0 ft (28.7 m)
Beam	10.2 ft (3.1 m)
Draught	3.5 ft (1.1 m)
Depth	7.0 ft (2.1 m)
Propulsion	Diesel engines, 2 shafts
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Complement	183
Armament	4 × 3"/50 caliber Mk.22 guns (Type 57) 1 × Y-gun depth charge throwers 1 × depth charge rack 4 × 533mm torpedo tubes 1 × Bofors M/50 375mm ASW rocket launcher 2 × Type 68 triple 324mm torpedo tubes

Development and design

This class was the first JMSDF surface combatant adopted shelter-deck design. Propulsion systems varied in each vessels because the JMSDF tried to find the best way in the propulsion systems of future DEs. The design concept of this class and the CODAD propulsion system of the Kitakami-class became a prototype of the latter DEs and DDKs such as Chikugo-class and Yamagumo-class.^[1][2]

The gun system was a scale-down version of the Ayanami-class, four 3"/50 caliber Mark 22 guns with two Mark 33 dual mounts controlled by a Mark 63 GFCS.^[3] Main air-search radar was a OPS-2, Japanese variant of the American AN/SPS-12.^[4]

Construction and career

Kitakami was laid down on 7 July 1962 at IHI Corporation, Tokyo and launched on 21 June 1963. She's commissioned on 27 February 1964 and was incorporated into the Ominato District Force with JDS Ōi.

On 31 January 1990, the 32nd Escort Corps was abolished, the type was changed to a special service ship, and the ship registration number was changed to ASU-7016. Transferred to the Ominato District Force as a ship under direct control. The long torpedo launcher has been removed due to the conversion work to the special service ship.

She was stricken on 16 November 1993.^[5][6]