Abukuma-class destroyer escort

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The Abukuma-class destroyer escort (or frigate) (Template:Langx) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It is the successor of the earlier Template:Sclass. They are being replaced by the Template:Sclasss.

Design

This class was planned to replace the earlier Template:Sclass and possess both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, as the successor of the Template:Sclass, and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability, as the successor of the Yūbari class, but there are many enhancements, as follows below.

Introduction of stealth technology

This class is the first combatant ship of the JMSDF with stealth technology. Their superstructure has traditional vertical surfaces, but their hulls are angled to reduce their radar cross section.

Electronic warfare

This is the first destroyer escort class with the Naval Tactical Data System and OYQ-7 combat direction system. It is also the first destroyer escort class which has ECM capability - with the OLT-3 jammer.

Weapon systems

The Short Range Air Defense system comprises the OPS-14 air-search radar, the OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar, one Otobreda 76 mm rapid-firing gun, controlled by the FCS-2 fire-control system, and a Phalanx CIWS. The OPS-14 is the Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-49 radar, and the OPS-28 is the equivalent of the American TAS Mk.23. Phalanx CIWS has given the ships an improved, self-defence capability against anti-ship missiles. Mk.31 RAM GMWS Point Defense Missile System was planned, but it is not installed yet.

The ASW system comprises an OQS-8 hull-sonar (Japanese equivalent of the American DE-1167), ASROC anti-submarine rocket from the Type 74 octuple launcher (Japanese license-built version of the American Mark 16 GMLS), and lightweight ASW torpedoes from two HOS-301 triple Template:Convert torpedo tubes. A tactical, towed-array sonar system was planned, but it is not installed yet.

The JMSDF intended to build eleven ships of this class, but, finally, only six were built because Template:Sclasss started deploying in distinct forces. All six vessels in this class are named after Japanese rivers.

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Home port
DE-229		17 March 1988	21 December 1988	12 December 1989	Kure
DE-230		14 April 1988	31 January 1989	28 February 1990	Sasebo
DE-231		8 March 1989	19 December 1989	23 January 1991	Ominato
DE-232		14 April 1989	26 January 1990	15 March 1991	Maizuru
DE-233		14 February 1991	25 January 1992	24 February 1993	Ominato
DE-234		8 February 1991	6 December 1991	8 February 1993	Kure

See also

• List of naval ship classes in service

References

• Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006