JS Shirane (DDH-143)

History

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has commissioned two "helicopter destroyers" to replace the previous JDS Haruna class. The contract was awarded to the Ishikawajima-Harima Shipbuilding Group in Tokyo, Japan, and the first ship of the class was laid in March 1971. The ship was named Shirane after a group of mountains in Japan.

The new ship officially entered service in 1980 as the JDS Shirane (DDH-143) helicopter destroyer, a defensive surface combatant.

For many years after World War II, the Japanese state itself was not allowed to have a standing army, air force or navy - mainly because of its contribution to the losing side of the Axis powers (including Nazi Germany and Italy, etc.). As a result, their military power was largely relegated to a defensive tool, so a government overseeing the modern Japanese navy needed a defensive presence capable of protecting the island chain as well as key maritime fishing interests and cargo fleets. Domestic and international waters - a stark contrast to the aggressive, resource-starved nature of the Imperial Japanese fleet in the 1930s and 1940s.

Shirane is 32 to date (2012) and is expected to retire sometime in 2014.

Basic Design

The Shirane's design profile features sharp, clean lines, even for bulbous sonars. There is a compact superstructure with 2 x 5 inch dual purpose stepped deck guns forward midship and aft. Between the superstructure and the deck guns are 8 anti-submarine torpedo launchers ASROC. The fire control system (FCS) is mounted on top of the bridge superstructure, and the air search radar is attached to a platform that extends near the top of the forward funnel.

On top of the front funnel is a small pagoda that houses the surface search radar and associated weather sensor equipment. Aft of the superstructure is an underslung deck for distribution to the three helicopters on board.

Two 20mm Gatling Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) guns are mounted on the pedestal, one to port and the other to starboard, almost on the ship's centerline in the helicopter hangar. A shorter rear funnel protrudes from the top of the hangar deck, and Sea Sparrow medium-range surface-to-air missile launchers (the successful naval version of the Sparrow air-to-air missile) are mounted on the rear funnel of the hangar deck.

A large flight deck from two pods Deck doors extend aft to stern. An open-air secondary deck is located on the fan tail below the flight deck and provides storage space for towed sonar equipment. In total, Shirane created four full decks below the main deck.

White Root Weapon

Because the Shirane was built to defend against all types of threats, including submarine, surface and air threats, she could also be called upon for coastal bombing if necessary. From the bow, she deployed 2 x 5"/54 caliber Mk 42 autocannons, designed for air or ground targets (dual use).

However, as air targets continued to cruise at higher speeds, the Mk 42 was more of a A surface threat counter-weapon. Two 5" guns are controlled by a Mk 68 gun Fire Control System (FCS) located on top of the superstructure and gun mounts. The entire Mk 42 system weighs 60 tons.

Below the gun mounts are two drums, each Each drum holds 40 rounds of 5" shells. Each projectile weighs 70 pounds. However, these guns cannot maintain the 40 rounds per minute manufacturing specification (the actual maximum RPM is 33 rounds per 2 seconds or about 1 round per gun, based on Information from Shirane itself). In two weapon mounts, each has a storage capacity of 599 5" rounds.

When fired, the 5" shell travels at 2,300 feet per second and has a maximum range of 14.9 at 45 degrees altitude miles (26,224 yards).

Behind the two 5" gun mounts are the Matchbox MK-112 RUR-5 ASROC ASW system launchers developed in the 1950s. This anti-submarine weapon system is a rocket-assisted launcher that contains 8 x Mark 46 homing torpedoes (not known if they carry reloads below deck). Each torpedo weighs 950 feet, is 15.1 feet long, and has an internal guidance system. The launcher can pan and fire as needed to port or starboard, or forward over the bow.

The superstructure apparently prevented these torpedoes from being launched aft. Additional ASROC torpedo launchers can be installed.

When sensors on board or the sonar of the accompanying SH-60J helicopter detect the location of an enemy submarine, this data is fed into an acoustic homing torpedo for an ASROC attack. The torpedo is then launched into the air by its solid rocket motor until it reaches a pre-programmed flight moment, at which point the torpedo is separated from its launch vehicle and lowered into the water by parachute. The torpedo is then actively aimed at its target with active or passive sonar in the usual sense.

This quick-reaction system allowed Shirane to attack enemy submarines without warning.

The Sea Sparrow Launcher is located on the top of the trailer deck behind the hopper. The standard dual 4-pod launcher platform is positioned to launch aft, port, starboard or vertical. Sea sparrows can attack aircraft or incoming missiles, even sea-skimming missiles. The Sea Sparrow missile is 12 feet long and weighs 510 pounds, including a 90-pound warhead.

It has an inherent range of 10 nmi (19 km) and is guided by semi-active homing radar. Detonation is via a proximity fuze, allowing a 27-foot kill radius.

Two triple anti-submarine warfare (ASW) torpedo launchers are located amidships along the outer edge to port and starboard. Three tubular units can be rotated outward to launch, and each torpedo is launched into the water using air pressure. This tried-and-true method of launching torpedoes with compressed air has been a staple of naval warfare since World War I. Each tube is preloaded with a Mark 46 torpedo, the current NATO standard type.

Each torpedo weighs 231 kg (508 lb), has a range of 11 km (12,000 yd), and can dive to 365 m (1,200 ft) to pursue enemy submarines. These weapons use a circular seeker pattern operating at 40 knots (74 km/h) while using an internal active/passive acoustic homing system.

The 20mm Phalanx CIWS is a short-range "last chance" anti-ship/air defense/anti-missile weapon system. Capable of firing 4,500 rounds per minute, the radar-guided 20mm Gatling is mounted on a rotatable base that is integrated with the airborne radar system to detect and track targets up to 3,600 m (11,800 ft) from the ship .

Sikorsky SH-60K Seahawk Air Wing

The Sikorsky SH-60J Seahawk helicopter is a multi-mission rotorcraft currently deployed on the deck of the Shirake. The current (as of 2012) stationed force is the HS-23 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force "Maizuru" squadron.

The standard operating staff for these aircraft consists of three people, including two pilots and a flight engineer, but mission equipment specialists are added as needed. The helicopter is 19.8 m (64 ft, 10 in) long and the tail can be folded to port, reducing overall length by 7 ft and overall height (5.2 m (16 ft 12 in)) by 4 ft, 6 in. The main rotor is 16.4 m (54 ft 6 in) in diameter and has a maximum takeoff weight of 9,750 kg (21,495 lb) including crew.

Similarly, the main rotor blades can be folded for more storage space on space-constrained ships. The aircraft is powered by 2 Ishikawa-Harima T700-IHI-401C turboshaft engines, each producing 1,342 kW (1,800 hp). This engine arrangement allows for a top speed of 264.8 km/h (143 km, 165 mph) and is capable of reaching a service ceiling of 5,790 m (18,996 ft).

Range (without refueling) is 584 km (315 nautical miles, 363 mi).

SH-60J helicopters sustain Shirane's two primary missions: anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface warfare. Secondary missions include search and rescue (SAR), communications relay to ships and vertical resupply at sea. She can carry a Mark 46 torpedo or two on an external pylon if needed.

Additionally, for self-defense or safety, a crew-operated 7.62mm Type 74 machine gun can be mounted on the side door pivot bracket. There are 25-ton navigation buoys on the port side of the aircraft, which can be deployed in different positions to facilitate the tracking of submarines.

If found, the data will be sent back to the equipment on the helicopter and forwarded to the mother ship. Further aft of the helicopter's tail are two chaff countermeasure dispensers used to deter incoming homing missiles. Above the crew's side door is a rescue winch that can also be used for diving sonar carried in the cabin.

Aft of the crew hatch (along the stern area) is a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) mounted scanner, while further aft is a MAD unit that will be lowered into the sea and towed to detect magnetic anomalies. The device measures the magnetic signals produced by the submarine. Under the helicopter's nose is an ESM (Electronic Support Measurement) device that passively intercepts electronic signals from enemy ships or aircraft. Under the hull is a standard radar unit for radiolocation and range.

The Japanese Navy purchased an updated version of the SH-60K with increased cabin space and upgraded electronics.

History

The operational history of JDS Shirane began with commissioning on February 17, 1980. In 1981, she was incorporated into the flagship of Escort Flotilla One in Yokosuka, Japan. In 1982, Shiragen participated in her first RIM of the PACific exercise, the largest international maritime exercise in the world. In 1984, the Shirane underwent an overhaul and modernization program to enable her to adapt to new maritime threats. In 1985 and 1987, she participated in U.S. naval exercises in the region.

In 1988, she participated in RIMPAC '88 near Hawaii, USA. In 1992, Shiragen was sent to the Republic of the Philippines to participate in naval exercises there. In 1993, she again participated in U.S. Navy exercises. In July 1995, she was called to help during the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

In August 1993, she returned to the Philippines for further naval exercises. This was followed by the RIMPAC exercise in 1998. In 2003, Shirane also participated in the SAREX exercise in the Russian Federation. In 2005, the Republic of Singapore commissioned an exercise called PSIEX.

On December 15, 2007, a fire broke out in the wheelhouse moored in Yokosuka, injuring four crew members. In 2009, JDS Shirane was transferred to Escort Flotilla Three in Maizuru, Japan. In 2011, during the Great East Japan Earthquake, she was used to deliver relief supplies and goods.

In May 2012, she was sent to represent Japan at Fleet Week in New York, USA.

JDS Shirane DD-143 at Fleet Week 2012

Since 1984, the U.S. Navy has held its annual sailing event Fleet Week in New York waters. This week, many coalition and U.S. Navy ships, including "tall ships" with sails, arrived in New York Harbor from various ports. This year's celebration is a recognition of the War of 1812, America's "Second Revolution." The author (J.R.

Potts) had the opportunity to walk through Shirane's deck during the exhibition.

In this talk, some interesting details about the ship's data sheet are documented - very well done, covering many topics. On the lighter side, it implies a crew of 10 to cook, with extensive experience and culinary licenses prior to arrival. These waiters prepare meals for the crew of 350 and are proud to prepare a variety of recipe ideas for the crew on Fridays - the popular "curry day".

Food for every naval unit is as important as fuel and bullets.