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JS Abukuma (DE-229)

1989 MODERN NAVY

JS Abukuma (DE-229) Story

The modern Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) adopts the Abukuma-class warship as the successor to its aging Yubari-class family of ships. The Yubari class itself was chosen to succeed the Ishikari class, of which there were two, and were used in the destroyer escort role during their time at sea (both have been retired).

The Abukuma class, led by JS Abukuma (DE-229) himself, is also classified as an escort destroyer by the JMSDF, but is seen in other sources as a frigate or even a guided missile frigate.

The Abukuma class was originally planned to be a group of eleven, but only six were completed before the end, and the remaining five were canceled. The group was built by Mitsui Shipbuilding Corporation and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. from 1988 to 1991.

The group has been in service since 1989 and all six completed ships are still active.

As destroyer escorts, their primary purpose is to support convoys, merchant ships, and fleets, and these ships are designed for blue water service off friendly coasts. Built-in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, electronic warfare (EW) is state of the art.

These ships are also the first JMSDF ships with stealth design qualities, enabling basic long-range radar avoidance.

As planned, the JS Abukuma will displace 2,000 tonnes under standard load and 2,550 tonnes under full load. The overall length is 357 feet, the beam is 44 feet, and the draft is only 12 feet. The propulsion concept includes a CODOG arrangement (diesel or gas combination) with 2 Kawasaki RR SM1A gas turbines with an output of 26,650 hp and 2 Mitsubishi S12U MTK marine diesel engines with an output of 6,000 hp.

This allows the warship to advance at 27 knots under ideal conditions.

There are 120 crew members on board. The FCS-2 is a shipboard fire control system (FCS) for long-range combat threats, based on a PESA (Passive Electronically Scanned Array) radar system. In addition, the ship is equipped with self-rescue measures and sensor equipment commonly used by modern ocean-going ships (OPS-14 air search radar, OPS-28 surface search radar, Mk 36 SRBOC chaff flare launcher, OQS-8 hull-mounted sonar ).

The weapon is carried by a 1 x 76mm OTO Breda turret deck gun located in the "A" position above the forecourt. Primary missile armament consists of eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles housed in two 4-unit launchers. Close-range defense is provided by the proven 20mm Phalanx digital system, and the ship's armament is enhanced by 2 x 324mm (12.8 in) triple torpedo tubes (HOS-301 series) and a rounded-down anti-submarine ROCKet launcher. [/p ]

JS Abukuma was laid on 17 March 1988 and launched on 21 December 1988. She officially entered service on December 12, 1989, making her home port outside Maizuru, Kyoto, with quick access to the Sea of ??Japan. Like all her sisters, she bears the name of a WWII cruiser.