Yamagumo-class Destroyer

The Yamagumo-class are vessels of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, usually classified as a destroyer, but due to their relatively light displacement, in other sources as a destroyer escort. This class is the successor of the Akizuki-class and the predecessor of the Minegumo-class.

This class was planned to become the new generation workhorse of the fleet of the JMSDF. Aiming this objective, it equipped with some new generation weapon and sensor systems such as the ASROC anti-submarine rocket and the OPS-11 early warning radar (Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-40 radar).

The Minegumo-class destroyer derived from this class as the new DASH equipped version, but after the QH-50D DASH was scrapped, the JMSDF decided on resuming the construction of this class. The latter batch sometimes called as the Aokumo-class, and there are some point improved mainly in their electronics such as the OQS-3 hull-sonar (Japanese variant of the American AN/SQS-23) and the AN/SQS-35 variable depth sonar system.

Specifications

 * Type: Destroyer
 * Service Period: 1966-2005
 * Characteristics:
 * Length: 374 feet (114 meters) - 377 feet 11 inches (115.19 meters)
 * Beam: 38 feet 9 inches (11.81 meters)
 * Draft: 12 feet 10 inches (3.91 meters) - 13 feet 1 inch (3.99 meters)
 * Displacement: 2,050-2,200 tons (Standard)
 * Crew: 220
 * Propulsion: 6 × Mitsubishi 12 UEV 30/40N diesels, 2 shafts, 26,500 bhp
 * Range: 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 kilometers)
 * Speed: 27-28 knots (50-51.86 km/h)
 * Sensor Suite:
 * OPS-11B Air Search Radar
 * OPS-17 Surface Search Radar
 * SPG-34 Fire Control Radar (replaced by SPG-35)
 * GFCS-1
 * OQS-3 Hull Sonar
 * AN/SQS-35 Variable Depth Towed Array Sonar
 * Countermeasures:
 * NOLR-5 Intercept
 * Armament:
 * 4 x Mk.33 3"/50 caliber guns
 * 1 x ASROC anti-submarine rocket system
 * 1 x 375 mm (15 in) ASW rocket launcher
 * 2 x HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes