Minegumo-class destroyer

The Minegumo-class destroyer is a destroyer class of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, the successor of the Yamagumo class.

JS Minegumo (DD-116)
Class overview
Name	Minegumo-class destroyer
Builders	Uraga Heavy Industries (1) Mitsui Shipbuilding & Engineering (1) Maizuru Heavy Industries (1)
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by	Takatsuki-class destroyer
Succeeded by	Yamagumo-class destroyer
In commission	1967–2000
Completed	3
Retired	3
General characteristics
Type	Destroyer
Displacement	2,100 long tons (2,134 t) standard (Murakumo : 2,150 long tons (2,185 t)) 2,750 long tons (2,794 t) full load
Length	115 m (377 ft 4 in)
Beam	11.8 m (38 ft 9 in)
Draft	3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Complement	210
Sensors & processing systems	OPS-11B EWR OPS-17 surface search radar OQS-3 hull-sonar SQS-35 variable depth sonar Mark 56 fire-control system
Electronic warfare & decoys	NOLR-1B electronic warfare suite
Armament	2 × Mk.33 twin 3"/50 caliber guns 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm(Murakumo only) 1 × 4 Bofors 375 mm (15 in) ASW rocket launcher 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes
Aircraft carried	2 × QH-50D DASH anti-submarine drone helicopter (removed in 1979-82 and ASROC fitted)

This class derived from its predecessor Yamagumo class to be fitted with the QH-50D DASH, the new anti-submarine drone helicopter in return for the removal of the ASROC system. And similarly, it mainly tasked with Anti-submarine warfare. In 1969, after the production of the QH-50D ceased, this class was no longer built and construction of the Yamagumo-class resumed.

The JMSDF considered refitting Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System Mk.1 with the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopter in return for the facility of DASH, but this plan was abandoned because of the problem of cost. Finally, the facility of DASH was removed in 1979-82, and Mk.16 GMLS for the ASROC system was fitted.

Murakumo was refitted in 1978 for use as a gun trials ship. Rear Mk.33 gun was removed and a new OTO Melara 76 mm gun was added.

Names

Pennant no.	Name	Shipbuilder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Training Ship Conversion	Decommissioned
DD-116 TV-3509	Minegumo	Mitsui Shipbuilding, Tamano shipyard	March 14, 1967	December 16, 1967	August 31, 1968	August 1, 1995	March 18, 1999
DD-117 TV-3510	Natsugumo	Uraga Heavy Industries	June 26, 1967	July 25, 1968	April 25, 1969	August 1, 1995	March 18, 1999
DD-118 TV-3511	Murakumo	Maizuru Heavy Industries	October 19, 1968	November 15, 1969	August 21, 1970	March 16, 1998	June 18, 2000

References

• Eric Wertheim (2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.
• The Maru Special, Ships of the JMSDF No.58 "Escort ship Yamagumo-class and Minegumo-class", Ushio Shobō (Japan), December 1981