Tachikaze-class Guided Missile Destroyer

The JDS Asakaze (DDG-169) at Pearl Harbor during RIMPAC '04.

The Tachikaze-class destroyer is a second generation guided missile destroyer, formerly in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The ships of this class have had successive improvements after their completion, especially to their C4I systems. These air-defense warships are the natural successor to the first generation air-defense ship, the Amatsukaze-class destroyer, and they were in turn, followed by newer air-defense ships, the Hatakaze-class.

The Tachikaze-class was equipped with the Tartar-D system as the key weapon system, the fleet-area air defense weapon system with the Standard-1 MR missile. And at the same time, this was the American first native integrated weapon system with the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS), so this class was the first of the Maritime Self Defense Force's ships that utilised computers widely. As the NTDS, OYQ-1 Weapon Entry System (WES) was on board on the lead ship, Tachikaze. The OYQ-1 WES was based on the technology of the NYYA-1 which was on board on the lead ship of the Takatsuki-class, and this system was the first Japanese shipboard C4I system with the architecture of NTDS. On the second ship, Asakaze, the improved OYQ-2 Target Designation System (TDS) was on board. And the third ship, Sawakaze, introduced the new-generation combat direction system, OYQ-4.

The Tachikaze-class destroyers' weapon systems include one Mk 13 missile launcher for the Standard-1 MR surface-to-air missile, one Type 74 octuple launcher (Japanese version of the American Mark 16 GMLS) for the ASROC anti-submarine rockets, eight Boeing Harpoon anti-ship missile, two 20-mm Phalanx CIWS gun mounts, two Type 68 (Model HOS-301) triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes, and two 5-inch/54 caliber Mark 42 rapid-fire guns.

In 1998, the Tachikaze was converted to be the flagship of the Fleet Escort Force. The aft 5-inch gun was replaced with a fleet command area. The Tachikaze was decommissioned in 2007. The Sawakaze then succeeded her in the flagship role.

The ships of the Tachikaze-class were decommissioned beginning in 2007.

All three vessels of the Tachikaze-class were named after destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, with Tachikaze and Asakaze being lost to enemy action during the war.

Specifications

• Type: Guided Missile Destroyer (Hull designation symbol DDG)
• Service Period: 1976-2010
• Characteristics:
  • Length: 469 feet 2 inches (143 meters)
  • Beam: 46 feet 11 inches (14.3 meters)
  • Draft: 15 feet 3 inches (4.65 meters)
  • Displacement: 3,850-3,950 (Standard); 5,200 tons (Full Load)
• Crew: 250-277
• Propulsion: 2 x 850 psi boilers, 2 x Mitsubishi steam turbines, 2 x shafts, 60,000 hp (45,000 kW),
• Range:
• Speed: 32 knots (59.26 km/h)
• Sensor Suite:
  • OPS-11C 2D Air Search Radar
  • SPS-52B/C 3D Air Search Radar
  • OPS-16D/OPS-18-1/OPS-28 Surface Search Radar
  • OPS-20 2D Navigation Radar
  • AN/SPG-51C/D Missile Fire Control Radar x 2
  • OQS-3A/OQS-4 Bow Sonar
• Countermeasures:
  • NOLR-5/6 Electronic Support Measures - replaced by NOLQ-1 Electronic Warfare Suite
  • OLT-3 Electronic Countermeasures - replaced by NOLQ-1 Electronic Warfare Suite
  • OLR-9B Missile Warning System
  • Mk.36 Mod 2 SBROC
• Armament:
  • 2 x 5"/54-caliber Mk.42 naval gun
  • 1 x Mk.13 Missile Launcher (fires RIM-66B SM-1MR SAM)
  • 2 x Mk.141 SSM Launchers (fires RGM-84 Harpoon AShMs)
  • 1 x Type 74 ASROC Launcher (fires RUR-5 ASROC ASW rockets)
  • 2 x 12.75 Type 68 HOS-301 triple fire torpedo tubes
  • 2 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS

Unit Run

Building no.	Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Home port
2308	DDG-168	JDS Tachikaze	June 19th, 1973	March 26th, 1976	January 15th, 2007	Sasebo (1976–1995) Yokosuka (1995–2007)
2309	DDG-169	JDS Asakaze	May 27th, 1976	March 27th, 1979	March 12th, 2008	Yokosuka (1979–1995) Sasebo (1995–2008)
2310	DDG-170	JDS Sawakaze	September 14th, 1979	March 30th, 1983	June 25th, 2010	Sasebo (1983–2007) Yokosuka (2007–2010)