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 were 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: 5,200 tons (Standard); 7,500 tons (Full Load)
 * Crew: 350-360
 * Propulsion: 2 x IHI FWD2 boilers 850 psi (60 kg/cm², 5.9 MPa), 430 °C, 2 x IHI impulse steam turbines, 2 shafts, 70,000 shp (52 MW)
 * Range:
 * Speed: 32 knots (59.26 km/h)
 * Sensor Suite:
 * OPS-12 3D Air Search Radar
 * OPS-28 Surface Search Radar
 * OPS-22 Navigation Radar
 * FCS-1A Gun Fire Control System
 * WM-25 SAM Fire Control System (replaced by FCS-2-12 Fire Control System)
 * OQS-101 Hull Mounted Sonar
 * AN/SQS-35(J) Variable Depth Sonar
 * AN/SQR-18A Towed Array Sonar
 * Countermeasures:
 * NOLQ-1 Electronic Warfare Suite
 * OLR-9B Radar Warning Receiver
 * AN/SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo countermeasures suite
 * 4 x Mk.36 SBROC
 * Armament:
 * 2 x 5"/54-caliber Type 73 naval guns
 * 1 x Mk.25 Sea Sparrow missile launcher
 * 1 x Type 74 ASROC Launcher
 * 2 x 12.75" Type 68 triple fire torpedo tubes
 * 2 x 20mm/70-caliber Mk.15 Phalanx CIWS
 * Aircraft Carried: 3 x Mitsubishi SH-60J(K) Seahawk maritime helicopters

Unit Run

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