Description:
The Japan Marine Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Murasame-class frigates (destroyers in the JMSDF parlance) have been designed to perform anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) missions with limited defense against airborne threats. These ships are an enlarged version of Asagiri class frigates commissioned by JMSDF between 1988 and 1991. In addition to an enlarged hull, the ship design incorporates stealth characteristics for improved survivability. The JMSDF commissioned nine Murasame-class multi-role frigates between 1996 and 2002.
The Murasame-class frigates propulsion system consists of two SM1C cruise gas turbines and two LM2500 boost gas turbines developing 60,000-shp. The 4,500t class ship top speed is 30 knots. The weapon systems comprises: a 76mm gun, a 16-cell vertical launching system (VLS) for vertical launch ASROC (VLA) anti-submarine rocket, a 16-cell vertical launch system with 16 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, two triple 12.75-inch torpedo tubes, and two 20mm Phalanx guns for close-in air defense. Besides, the ship has a flight deck and hangar allowing for operation of a single SH-60J patrol helicopter.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 165
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 76 mm
Number of Weapons: 40
Dimensions: Beam 17.4 m, Draft 5.2 m, Length 151 m
Weights: Full Displacement 4,550 t
Performance: Top Speed 30 kt (56 kph)
Power: Power 60,000 shp
Other: Torpedo Tubes 6 12.75-inch torpedo tubes
Operators
Japan / 9
Ships
DD101 Murasame
Commissioning: 1996
DD102 Harusame
Commissioning: 1997
DD103 Yudachi
Commissioning: 1999
DD104 Kirisame
Commissioning: 1999
DD105 Inazuma
Commissioning: 2000
DD106 Samidare
Commissioning: 2000
DD107 Ikazuchi
Commissioning: 2001
DD108 Akebono
Commissioning: 2002
DD109 Ariake
Commissioning: 2002
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 / 9 
