JS Atago (DDG-177)

History

Japan, which has one of the largest defense budgets in the world, has been forced to develop an advanced naval fleet due to the importance of its location for trade and growing tensions with its regional neighbors. The Atago-class guided missile destroyer entered service in the 2000s and is currently (2016) the second ship - Atago JS (DDG-177) as leader and JS Ashigara (DDG-178) as her sister.

This class succeeded the still capable King Kong class (four ships), built from 2004 to 2008. JS Atago was completed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and remains active in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) inventory.

Compared to the Kongo-class they follow, the Atago-class destroyers have increased helicopter capability by adding an airborne hangar and gaining an extra deck on the bridge superstructure (raising the bridge slightly). Deck guns with turrets also have better range and inherent firepower.

The U.S. influence on Japanese warships is obvious - in fact, the JS Atago is taking a similar form and function to the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers.

The Atago is also equipped with the American-made "Aegis" weapon system, which provides a powerful anti-missile capability by sophisticated scanning, tracking and combating airborne threats. Its helicopter components are also Sikorsky SH-60K naval helicopters, manufactured locally by Mitsubishi, and the propulsion system is a system licensed from General Electric.

The Atago displaces 7,700 tonnes under standard load and over 10,000 tonnes under full load. She has an overall length of 541.3 feet, a beam of 68.10 feet, and a draft of 20.3 feet. Power comes from 4 Ishikawajima Harima (General Electric) LM2500-30 gas turbines producing 100,000 hp on 2 shafts and achieving speeds of up to 30 knots under ideal conditions. Her crew complements the Numbers 300 with full-service deck and hangar facilities to assist in launching and recovering offshore helicopters.

The helicopter is also equipped to deal with naval and submarine threats, and perform a search and rescue (SAR) role when required, while also providing valuable over-the-horizon reconnaissance.

Airborne systems include AN/SPY-1D(V) passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, OPS-28E surface search radar, AN-SQS-53C sonar, three AN/SPG-62 fire control systems (FCS), AN/SQQ-89 ASW unit and Mk 46 Optronic Director. Electronic warfare (EW) is conducted through the NOLQ0-2 system and carries four Mk 36 SRBOC countermeasure kits.

Armament is carried by a 64-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) along the forecastle and 32-cell depot near the stern. These support the SM-2MR Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM), SM-3 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) and RUM-139 ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) systems.

2 x Type 90 quad launchers are located amidships on the SSM-1B Anti-Ship Missile (ASM). 2 x Type 68 triple torpedo tubes (Mk 46 or Type 73 torpedoes) for anti-submarine operations.

More conventional armament comes in a single 5" Mk 45 Mod 4 deck gun with a turret above the bow and is equipped with 2 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) - one installed before the bridge is built, the other permanently Installed near the rear structure to identify short-range all-around protection.

Her profile is consistent with ships of this class and type - the bridge superstructure is directly behind the turrets, the closed pyramid-shaped invisible masts are integrated into the structure, and the funnels have a low profile and plate side design close to the midship. The aft superstructure contains a hangar facility and is connected to the helical helipad.

The tip of the bow is sharp and rises from the turret to the very front.

If the situation in North Korea and China escalates, Atago and her sister will no doubt be called upon to defend Japanese interests in the region.

Specification

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Performance

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