Abukuma-class

Summary

Description

The Abukuma-class destroyer escort serves as a general-purpose vessel within the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and acts as a successor to the older Yūbari class. These ships were introduced with multiple enhancements over their predecessors, intended to continue the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities of the Chikugo class and the anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities of the Yūbari class.

In terms of design, the Abukuma class notably incorporates stealth technology, making them the first class of combatant ships in the JMSDF designed with this capability. While they maintain traditional vertical surfaces on their superstructure, the hulls have been angled to minimize radar cross section. Another first for the destroyer escort class is the inclusion of the Naval Tactical Data System and the OYQ-7 combat direction system, improving their electronic warfare capabilities. They are also equipped with the OLT-3 jammer, providing electronic countermeasures (ECM) capability.

The armament of the Abukuma class comprises both defensive and offensive systems. For short-range air defense, they are outfitted with the OPS-14 air-search radar (Japan's counterpart to the American AN/SPS-49 radar) and the OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar (equivalent to the American TAS Mk.23). The ships are defended against anti-ship missiles by one Otobreda 76 mm rapid-firing gun controlled by the FCS-2 fire-control system, and by the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). Foreseen upgrades such as the Mk.31 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Weapon System Point Defense Missile System, and a Tactical Towed-Array Sonar System had been planned but were not installed.

For ASW tasks, the ships employ an OQS-8 hull-sonar (a counterpart to the American DE-1167), ASROC anti-submarine rockets from a Type 74 octuple launcher, and lightweight ASW torpedoes launched from two HOS-301 triple 324 mm torpedo tubes.

While the original intention was to construct eleven ships in this class, the production ended with a total of six vessels. This decision was due in part to the deployment of the Hatsuyuki-class destroyers, which began serving in the same roles. Each of the six ships in the Abukuma class is named after a Japanese river, following the JMSDF's ship-naming conventions. The operational history of these ships continues to be within the JMSDF, as they have not been reported to serve in any other nation's naval forces.

Technical specifications

Photo of Abukuma class