JS Ikazuchi (DD-107)

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi.

JS Ikazuchi (DD-107) is the seventh ship of the Murasame-class destroyers in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. She was commissioned on 14 March 2001.^[1]

JS Ikazuchi on 28 July 2010
History
Japan
Name	Ikazuchi (いかづち)
Ordered	1996
Builder	Hitachi, Maizuru
Laid down	25 February 1998
Launched	24 June 1999
Commissioned	14 March 2001
Homeport	Yokosuka
Identification	MMSI number: 431999648 Pennant number:DD-107
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class & type	Murasame-class destroyer
Displacement	4,550 tons standard, 6,200 tons hull load
Length	151 m (495 ft 5 in)
Beam	17.4 m (57 ft 1 in)
Draft	5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	2 × IHI-GE LM2500 gas turbines 2 × KHI-RR SM1C gas turbines 60,000 shp (45 MW) 2 shafts, cp props
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement	165
Sensors & processing systems	OYQ-9 CDS (w/ Link-11) OYQ-103 ASWCS FCS-2-31 fire-control systems OPS-24B air search radar OPS-28 surface search radar OQS-5 hull sonar OQR-2 TASS
Electronic warfare & decoys	NOLQ-3 suite Mk. 36 SRBOC Chaff and Decoy Launching System AN/SLQ-25 torpedo decoys
Armament	1 × OTO Melara 76 mm gun 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 8 × SSM-1B Anti-ship missile in quad canisters 2 × triple 324 mm torpedo tubes 16-cell Mk. 48 VLS with Evolved Sea Sparrow SAM 16-cell Mk. 41 VLS with VL-ASROC
Aircraft carried	1 × SH-60J/K anti-submarine helicopter

Design

The hull design was completely renovated from first-generation destroyers. In addition to increasing the size in order to reduce the underwater radiation noise, both the superstructure and hull were inclined to reduce the radar cross-section. However, there is no angled tripod mainmast like that 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.^[2] Destroyers built under the First Defense Build-up Plan, including the former Murasame class, adopted a unique long forecastle style called "Oranda-zaka".

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 the Kongō class.^[2]

Construction and career

Ikazuchi was laid down on 25 February 1998 at Hitachi Zosen Corporation Maizuru as the 1996 plan and launched on 24 June 1999. Commissioned on 14 March 2001, the destroyer was incorporated into the 5th Escort Corps of the 1st Escort Corps and deployed to Yokosuka.

From 15 to 18 August 2020, joint training was conducted with elements of the US Navy which consisted of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and several other ships in the sea and airspace south of Okinawa.^[3]

Gallery

• 
  JS Ikazuchi and JS Kongō replenish with USNS Tippecanoe on 5 December 2010.
• 
  JS Ikazuchi alongside the aircraft carrier USS George Washington on 5 December 2010.
• 
  JS Ikazuchi, USNS John Ericsson and USS Ronald Reagan on 16 August 2020.