ROCS Kee Lung (DDG-1801)

History of ROCS Kee Lung (DDG-1801)

After her service with the United States Navy (USN) expired, USS Scott (DDG-995) became the capital ship of the Kidd class and was Sold to ally Taiwan, operating as ROCS Kee Lung (DDG-1801). As the successor to the older, aging Spruance-class ships, the Kidd classes served the US Navy guided-missile destroyer role in the 1980s and 1990s until they were themselves replaced by the more capable/capable Arleigh Burke class replaced.

A total of four warships were built to Kidd standards, and all four became the property of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy. The refit of the vessels was carried out in North Charleston, South Carolina before being handed over to ROCN.

The destroyer was launched in its original form on February 12, 1979, and as DDG-995 on March 1, 1980. ROCN took delivery of the warship on May 30, 2003, and continues to serve today (2020). It was officially commissioned by its new owner on December 17, 2005. Kee Lung (DDG-1801) is the lead ship of the class, joined by sisters ROCS Su Ao (DDG-1802), ROCS Tso Ying (DDG-1803). and ROCS Ma Kong (DDG-1805).

Keelung is named after the port city of Keelung in the north of the country. She was temporarily nicknamed "Chi-Teh" until her official name was used.

The ROCS Kee Lung is in service with a standard load displacement of 7,300 tons, a barrel length of 563 feet, a beam of 55 feet, and a draft of up to 31.5 feet. Power comes from a configuration of 4 General Electric LM2500-30 series gas turbines producing 80,000 horsepower to drive 2 shafts under the stern.

This gives the warship a speed of 33 knots in ideal conditions and a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

The ship carries SPS-48E air search radar, two sets of SPG-51D missile control radar (MCR), SPS-55 surface search radar and SPQ-9A fire control radar (FCR). Additionally, the hull is fitted with an SQS-53 sonar, and the AN/SLQ-32(V)3 is used as an electronic warfare (EW) suite.

Other systems include the Mark 36 SRBOC countermeasure system and the AN/SLQ-25 "Nixie" towed sonar array.

Armament includes 2 x 5" (127 mm) /54 caliber Mark 45 Dual Purpose (DP) deck guns and turrets, 2 x Mk 26 rocket launchers to support RIM-66 SM-2MR Block IIIA (RIM- 66K - 2) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) series and 2 x 20mm Phalanx Mark 15 close-in weapons systems (CIWS). Also 2 x Mk 141 "Harpoon" anti-ship missile launchers with four cells and 2 x Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes for the Mk 46 torpedo series.

Above the stern is a combined flight deck and hangar, allowing the vessel to support up to 2 x Sikorsky SH-60/S-70C(M)-1/2 LAMPS III (or similar) naval helicopters. These can be deployed for a wide variety of surface missions, including anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue (SAR), maritime resupply, and general over-the-horizon (OtH) reconnaissance operations.

The general outline of the vessel is typical of 1980s warship designs, including a hull lined with rail sections and a plate-side hull superstructure. The masts are exposed, and camouflage features are barely visible in this aging arrangement (unlike these qualities on modern warships around the world).

Despite their age, these ships play a vital deterrent role in the ROC Navy and will continue to do so until better, more modern replacements are found in service.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service

2005

Origins

Taiwan

Status

In service

supplement

363

staff

SHIPBUILDERS

Ingalls Shipbuilding - USA

Class information

Class

Chironban (Kidban)

Class Size

4

ships

Class

ROCS Tso Ying (DDG-1803) (fmr USS Kidd DDG-993); ROCS Suao (DDG-1802) (fmr. USS Callaghan DDG-994); ROCS Kee Lung (DDG-1801) (formerly USS Scott DDG-995); ROCS Ma Kong (DDG-1805) (fmr USS Chandler DDG-996)

Carrier

Taiwan

Characters

Sea Bombing

Maritime bombardment/attack of surface targets/areas primarily through ship-based ballistic weapons.

Land Assault

Littoral attacks against surface targets primarily through ship-based missiles/missile weapons.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Airspace Denial/Deterrence

Neutralization or deterrence of flying elements by airborne missile weapon ballistics.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

563.0ft

171.60m

Ray

55. 0 feet

16.76m

Draft

31.5 feet

9.60m

Shift

7,300 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power:

4 GE LM2500-30 gas turbines rated at 80,000 hp driving 2 shafts under the stern.

Surface Velocity

33.0 nodes

(38.0km/h)

Area

5,996nm

(6,900 miles | 11,104 km)

Weapons

2 x 5" (127 mm) Mark 45 "Dual Purpose" (DP) deck guns and turrets. 2 x Mark 26 Surface-to-Air Rocket Launchers (SAM) (62 x SM - 2 Block IIIA missiles) 8 x RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, dual quad launcher units 2 x 20mm Mark 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) 2 x Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes (6 x Mark 46 torpedo series).

Aircraft

2 x Sikorsky SH-60 "Seahawk" medium naval helicopters equipped with LAMPS III (or similar), supported by a hangar/helipad aft.