Description:
The Japan Marine Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Kongo-class destroyers, also known as Kongou or DDG 173, have been designed to provide extended air defense against advanced air breathing and ballistic threats. They feature reduced radar cross section, stealth design, for improved survivability and AEGIS weapon system. The Kongo-class design is strongly influenced by the US Navy's combat proven DDG-51 class destroyers. The class is expected to consists from six to eight ships assuming a leading role in the fleet until 2020.
The JMSDF commissioned four Kongo-class destroyers in the 1990s with another two/four improved destroyers, named Atago, to be commissioned by 2010. Overall, Kongo-class destroyers are the larger and most capable surface fighting ships in the JMSDF fleet. According to Japan's National Defense Program Guidelines of 2007, the JMSDF is required to possess eight destroyer units for mobile operations with each unit consisting of four vessels. Three of these vessels are multi-role destroyers (DD) and the fourth is an Aegis-equipped ship (DDG).
The Atago-class destroyers are an improved version of Kongo-class destroyers incorporating an aft helicopter hangar and the AN/SQQ-89 underwater warfare system. These ships were procured as a second batch of destroyers with the lead ship commissioned by the JMSDF in 2006. The propulsion system comprises two shafts and four LM2500 gas turbines developing 100,000-shp. This 7,700t class ship can achieve a top speed of 30 knots. Atago-class destroyers are provided with a large aft flight deck and hangar allowing for operation of two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) or patrol helicopters.
The Atago-class destroyers integrate the complete AEGIS-weapon system including a 90-cell (1x61-cell and 1x29-cell) Mk 41 strike length vertical launching system (VLS) and four AN/SPY-1D multifunction radar antennas. The Standard SM-2 Block IIIA surface-to-air missiles are intended to engage airborne threats. RGM-84 Harpoon and VLA (Vertical Launch ASROC) are intended to engage ships and submarines respectively. The weapon system also includes a 5-inch (127mm) naval gun with reduced radar cross section, two 20mm Phalanx close-in weapon systems and two tripe 12.75-in torpedo tubes.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 300
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 127 mm
Number of Weapons: 98
Dimensions: Beam 21 m, Draft 6.2 m, Length 165 m
Weights: Full Displacement 7,750 t
Performance: Top Speed 30 kt (56 kph)
Power: Power 100,000 shp
Other: Torpedo Tubes 6
Operators
Japan / 4 / Planned
Ships
DD177 Atago
Commissioning: March 2007
DD178 Ashigara
Commissioning: March 2008
Image Gallery
Notes (*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Japan / 4 / 