Shirane-class Helicopter Destroyer

The Shirane-class destroyers are a class of Japanese destroyer originally built during the late 1970s and still in active service in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. They are built around a large central hangar which houses up to three helicopters and they are the natural successor of the Haruna-class destroyers.

The Shirane-class incorporates an improved design based on the Haruna-class destroyers. The Shirane-class is also the first Japanese ships to be fitted with 3D radars, the NEC OPS-12. The ships propulsion include two steam boilers with two shafts that produce 70,000 shp and gives a maximum speed of 32 knots. Its armament includes two Mk.42 5"/54-caliber guns, two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, one Mk.25 Sea Sparrow missile launcher, torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets. The ships are expected to be replaced by the new Izumo-class helicopter destroyers.

Specifications

 * Type: Helicopter Destroyer
 * Service Period: 1980-Present
 * Characteristics:
 * Length: 522 feet (159.11 meters)
 * Beam: 57 feet 5 inches (17.5 meters)
 * Draft: 17 feet 5 inches (5.31 meters)
 * Displacement: 5,824 tons (Standard); 8,400 tons (Full Load)
 * Crew: 355
 * Propulsion: 2 x IHI boilers 850 psi (60 kg/cm², 5.9 MPa), 430 °C, 2 x turbines, 2 shafts, 70,000 shp (52 MW)
 * Range:
 * Speed: 32 knots (59.26 km/h)
 * Sensor Suite:
 * OPS-12 Air Search Radar
 * OPS-28 Surface Search Radar
 * OQS-101 Hull Mounted Sonar
 * VDS/TASS Towed Array Sonar
 * Armament:
 * 2 x Mk.42 5"/54-caliber naval guns
 * 1 x Mk.29 Sea Sparrow missile launcher
 * 1 x Mk.112 ASROC launcher
 * 2 x Mk.32 12.75" triple fire torpedo tubes
 * Aircraft Carried: 3 x Mitsubishi SH-60J(K) Seahawk ASW helicopters

Unit Run

 * JS Shirane (DDH-143)
 * JS Kurama (DDH-144)