- Yes
- Maybe
- Unsure
- No
- As built
- 1990’s refit
- 2010’s modernization
- Unsure
- I said no to the first question
Note:
- Due to the fact that these vessels use the DE classification, these ships will be referred to as destroyer escorts in this suggestion and as such even though they are also referred to as frigates they will be only referred to as destroyer escorts in this suggestion
Background/History
The Abukuma class is a class of Destroyer Escorts (also referred to as frigates however since the use the DE classification they will be referred to as destroyer escorts only in this suggestion) consisting of the 6 vessels, all of which shared names with Japanese cruisers that were sunk during the 2nd world war, they were built from the final years of the Cold War up until a year after it’s conclusion and these vessels are the last Japanese destroyer escorts as of right now in 2021 as they are planned to be replaced the the modern Mogami class frigate which are stealth frigates and are still being built and are expected to be commissioned in March of 2022 for the first 3 vessels.
The Abukuma class was designed as the replacement for the Isuzu and Chikugo class Destroyer escorts and the successors to the Yubari class Destroyer escorts and as such these vessels included the ASW of the Isuzu and the ASuW capability of the Chikugo class. Their armament consist of 1 Oto melera 76mm naval gun, 1 20mm Phalanx CWIS, up to 8 Harpoon anti ship missiles, 1 8 cell Type 74 ASROC launcher , and 2 triple HOS-301 324mm (12.75 in) torpedo tubes. It’s also worth noting that these vessels do in fact also include some stealth technology in their design as the hulls are angled to reduce their own radar cross section which makes them the first Japanese warships to include a form of stealth technology.
The class itself was originally going to consist of 11 vessels however 5 were canceled due to the Hatsuyuki class destroyers already being in service and as such only 6 vessels were built, being Abukuma, Jintsu, Oyodo, Sendai, Chikuma, and Tone. During their service they so far have seen 2 modernizations as in the 1990’s they would see the amount of Harpoon missile launchers they were allowed to carry reduced to 4 as to improve their stability, the other modernization in the 2010’s saw some of the vessels (not specified which) receive a new ECM suite installed in the place of the original one.
Specifications
Displacement:
2,000 tons standard
2,550 tons full load
Length: 357 ft (109 m)
Beam: 44 ft (13 m)
Draft: 12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion:
CODOG, two shafts
2 × Kawasaki-RR SM1A gas turbines26,650 hp (19,870 kW)
2 × Mitsubishi S12U MTK diesels 6,000 hp (4,500 kW)
Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Complement: 120
Sensors and processing systems:
1 x OPS-14C air search radar
1 x OPS-20 search radar (Tone is the only one to have this)*
1 x OPS-28C surface search and acquisition radar
1 x FCS-2-21B fire control system
1 x Mk 90 radar
1 x OQS-8 sonar
1 x SFCS-8 Underwater FCS
Electronic warfare & decoys:
As built
1 x NOLQ-6C ECM suite
1 x OLT-3 jammer
2x SRBOC Mk 36 decoy RL
1 x OYQ-6 CCS
2010 modernization
1 x NOLQ-8 radio wave detector
1 x OLT-3 jammer
2 x SRBOC Mk 36 decoy RL
1 x OYQ-6 CCS
Other electronic equipment:
1 x OAX-1B Infrared night vision device
Armament:
As built
Primary naval gun:
1 × Oto Melara 76 mm/62 (3-inch) compact rapid fire gun
AA armament:
1 × Mk 15 Phalanx 20 mm CIWS
Anti ship missiles:
up to 8 × Mk 141 missile launchers with RGM-84 Harpoon SSM
Anti submarine rocket launchers:
1 x 8 cell Type 74 (Mark 16) ASROC launcher with RUR-5 anti submarine rockets
Torpedo tubes:
6 × Type 68 (Mark 32) 12.75 in (324mm) torpedo tubes for Mark 46 or Type 73 torpedos (2 x 3)
1990’s Refit
Primary naval gun:
1 × Oto Melara 76 mm/62 (3-inch) compact rapid fire gun
AA armament:
1 × Mk 15 Phalanx 20 mm CIWS
Anti ship missiles:
up to 4 × Mk 141 missile launchers with RGM-84 Harpoon SSM
Anti submarine rocket launchers:
1 x 8 cell Type 74 (Mark 16) ASROC launcher with RUR-5 anti submarine rockets
Torpedo tubes:
6 × Type 68 (Mark 32) 12.75 in (324mm) torpedo tubes for Mark 46 or Type 73 torpedos (2 x 3)
More Images
Spoiler
Sources
Spoiler
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/あぶくま型護衛艦
Abukuma-class destroyer escort - Wikipedia
Abukuma class destroyer escort DE japan maritime self defense force
Image Sources