- Yes
- Maybe
- Unsure
- No
- As built
- Murakumo (1978)
- 1980’s modernization (Minegumo and Natsugumo)
- Unsure
- I said no to the first question
Background/History
The Minegumo class destroyers were a class of 3 vessels built during the late 1960’s, these vessels were derived from the Yamagumo class destroyers, the difference between this class and the previous class was that these vessels were equipped with the QH-50D DASH helicopter which was designed for anti submarine warfare, only 3 ships were built due to the production of DASH ceasing production in 1969 which saw the Yamagumo class return to production.
As it would turn out the DASH was not very reliable and as a result all the ships would be modernized with the DASH being removed in the process which was not replaced but instead saw the intention of an ASROC launcher at the rear, Natsugumo in particular would receive this modernization ahead of her sisters in 1978 which also saw one of her turrets replaced with a Oto Melara 76mm naval gun as she was used for testing the weapon as it was to be adopted for use on future vessels, the other 2 ships would be modernized in the early 1980’s though neither had the Oto Melara 76mm naval gun installed since it was only for testing on Natsugumo thought the 76mm gun would be retained on the vessel.
Minegumo and Natsugumo were both laid down in 1968 while Murakumo was laid down in 1969, they would be launched in 1967, 1968, and 1969 respectively with each vessel entering service the following year. During their service both Minegumo and Natsugumo would both take damage in separate incidents with Natsugumo coming into contact with the submarine JDS Asashio while training at Enshu Nad during which she took damage to one of her propeller shafts and the Asashio would receive damage to her periscope in the collision, and Minegumo would have a engine fire in 1995 during a test voyage in the Kii Channel which killed one sailor and injured another 2.
By the mid to late 1990’s these vessels were converted to training vessels with Minegumo and Natsugumo being converted in training vessels on August 1st, 1995 while Murakumo would only be converted on March 16th, 1998, this role would be short lived as both Minegumo and Natsugumo were both decommissioned on March 18th, 1999 and Murakumo was decommissioned on June 18th, 2000.
Specifications
Displacement
2,100 long tons (2,134 t) standard
(Murakumo : 2,150 long tons (2,185 t))
2,750 long tons (2,794 t) full load
Length: 115 m (377 ft 4 in)
Beam: 11.8 m (38 ft 9 in)
Draft: 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Complement: 205
Sensors and processing systems:
As built (Minegumo and Natsugumo)
OPS-11B EWR
OPS-17 surface search radar
SPG-34 radar
OQS-3 hull-sonar
As built (Murakumo)
OPS-11B EWR
OPS-17 surface search radar
SPG-34 radar
OQS-3 hull-sonar
SQS-35 variable depth sonar
1980’s Modernization (Minegumo and Natsugumo)
OPS-11B EWR
OPS-17 surface search radar
FC-2-12B radar
OQS-3 hull-sonar
Electronic warfare & decoys:
NOLR-1B electronic warfare suite
Armament:
As built
Primary Armament:
4 x 3-inch/50 (76mm) Mark 22 gun, Mark 33 mount (2 x 2)
Torpedo tubes:
6 x 12.75-inch (324mm) Type 68 Torpedo tubes (2 x 3)
Rocket launchers:
1 x 4 375 Type 71 ASWRL
Murakumo (1978)
Primary Armament:
2 x 3-inch/50 (76mm) Mark 22 gun, Mark 33 mount (1 x 2)
1 x Oto Melara 76mm/62 compact gun turret
Torpedo tubes:
6 x 12.75-inch (324mm) Type 68 Torpedo tubes (2 x 3)
Rocket launchers:
1 x 4 375 Type 71 ASW rocket launcher
1 x 8 Mark 16 ASROC launcher
1980’s modernization (Minegumo and Natsugumo)
Primary Armament:
4 x 3-inch/50 (76mm) Mark 22 gun, Mark 33 mount (2 x 2)
Torpedo tubes:
6 x 12.75-inch (324mm) Type 68 Torpedo tubes (2 x 3)
Rocket launchers:
1 x 4 375 Type 71 ASW rocket launcher
1 x 8 Mark 16 ASROC launcher
Sources
Spoiler
Minegumo-class destroyer - Wikipedia
Image Sources