Murasame-class destroyer (1994)

For other ships with the same name, see Murasame-class destroyer (disambiguation).

The Murasame-class destroyer (むらさめ型護衛艦, Murasame-gata-goei-kan) is a class of destroyers serving with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). This is the first class of the second-generation, general-purpose destroyers of the JMSDF.^[1]

JS Samidare in Pearl Harbor
Class overview
Name	Murasame class
Builders	Ishikawajima-Harima HI Tokyo #1 Shipyard (3) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard (3) Hitachi Zōsen Maizuru Shipyard (1) Mitsui Shipbuilding Tamano Shipyard (1) Sumitomo Heavy Industries Oppama Shipyard (1)
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by	Asagiri class
Succeeded by	Takanami class
Built	1993–2000
In commission	1996–present
Planned	14
Completed	9
Cancelled	5
Active	9
General characteristics
Type	General-purpose destroyer
Displacement	4,550 tons standard, 6,200 tons full 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 (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Complement	165
Sensors and 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 × Type-90 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

Background

Since fiscal year 1977, the JMSDF started construction of general-purpose destroyers (汎用護衛艦, Hanyou-goei-kan) under the eight ships / eight helicopters concept.^[2] In this concept, each flotilla would be composed of one helicopter destroyer (DDH), five general-purpose destroyers (DD), and two guided-missile destroyers (DDG).^[3] By fiscal year 1986, construction of twenty first-generation DDs (twelve Hatsuyuki class and eight Asagiri class) required for all four flotillas had been completed.^[2]

In the original plan, construction was supposed to shift to destroyer escorts, for local District Forces, afterwards. However, if the use of these first-generation DDs was continued to the full extent of the ship's lives, obsolescence was a concern. Thus the JMSDF decided to advance the construction of the new generation DDs, and this was the first class of the second-generation DDs.^[1]

Except for Kirisame, all ships of the class are named after Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers in World War II.

Design

The hull design was completely renovated from first-generation DDs. In addition to increasing the size in order to reduce the underwater radiation noise, both superstructure and hull were inclined to reduce the radar cross-section. There is, however, no angled tripod mainmast like the one on 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.^{[4][Note 1]}

The engine arrangement is COGAG, same as the Asagiri-class, but the pair of engines are updated to Spey SM1C. The remaining one pair are replaced by LM2500, same as the Kongō-class.^[4]

Equipment

The basic configuration of the equipment is the same as first-generation DDs, but they are updated and enhanced throughout. Concepts of its combat system were partly based on those of Kongō class. Two large-screen displays and OJ-663 consoles are introduced in its OYQ-9 combat direction system as Aegis Weapon System (AWS). And OYQ-103 ASW combat systems, based on OYQ-102 of Kongō class and indirectly AN/SQQ-89, present an integrated picture of the tactical situation by receiving, combining, and processing active and passive sensor data from the hull-mounted array, towed array and sonobuoys.^[6]

The advanced OPS-24 active electronically scanned array radar and OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar introduced into the fleet with the latter batch of the Asagiri class remain on board, and there are some new systems like the NOLQ-3 electronic warfare suite and OQS-5 bow-mounted sonar.^[4]

To enhance the low-observability and combat readiness capability, vertical launching systems were adopted on its missile systems: Mk 41 for VL-ASROC and Mk 48 for Sea Sparrow replace the traditional swivel octuple launchers. And the surface-to-surface missile system is alternated by the SSM-1B of Japanese make.^[4] Currently, ships of this class have been switching the point defense missile system from the traditional Sea Sparrow (RIM-7M) to the Evolved Sea Sparrow by FY2012.^[7]

The aircraft facility is expanded to accommodate two shipboard helicopters. One Mitsubishi SH-60J/K is a basic load, and another can be accommodated in case of overseas operation.^[2]

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Homeport
DD-101	Murasame (Village Rain)	18 August 1993	23 August 1994	12 March 1996	Yokosuka
DD-102	Harusame (Spring Rain)	11 August 1994	16 October 1995	24 March 1997	Sasebo
DD-103	Yūdachi (Evening Downpour)	18 March 1996	19 August 1997	4 March 1999	Ominato
DD-104	Kirisame (Drizzle)	3 April 1996	21 August 1997	18 March 1999	Headquarters: Kure Home port: Sasebo
DD-105	Inazuma (Sudden Lightning)	8 May 1997	9 September 1998	15 March 2000	Kure
DD-106	Samidare (Poetic term for the Rainy Season)	11 September 1997	24 September 1998	21 March 2000	Kure
DD-107	Ikazuchi (Ferocious Thunder)	25 February 1998	24 June 1999	14 March 2001	Yokosuka
DD-108	Akebono (Light of Daybreak)	29 October 1999	25 September 2000	19 March 2002	Kure
DD-109	Ariake (Daybreak)	18 May 1999	16 October 2000	6 March 2002	Sasebo

Gallery

• 
  JS Murasame, JS Harusame, JS Yudachi and JS Kirisame in Pearl Harbor
• 
  JS Harusame
• 
  JS Inazuma
• 
  JS Ariake
• 
  JS Ariake
• 
  JS Ikazuchi
• 
  JS Ikazuchi
• 
  Type 90 (SSM-1B) launcher of Murasame class
• 
  76 mm 62 cal compact gun

See also

• List of naval ship classes in service

Notes

1. Destroyers built under the First Defense Build-up Plan, including the former Murasame class, adopted a unique, long-forecastle style called "Oranda-zaka".^[5]