The Kongō class (こんごう型護衛艦 Kongō-gata Goeikan?) of guided missile destroyers serves as the core ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)'s Escort Flotillas. The Escort Flotillas of JMSDF operate four vessels. The Kongo Class is preceded by Hatakaze Class and succeeded by Atago Class destroyers.The Kongo Class were built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI Corporation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).
The destroyer is a modified version of the US Navy's Arleigh Burke Class destroyer.
The JMSDF built and commissioned four destroyers between 1990 and 1998. The keel for the lead vessel in class, JDS Kongo (DDG-173), was laid in May 1990. It was launched in September 1991 and commissioned in March 1993. JDS Kirishima (DDG-174) was laid down in April 1992, launched in August 1993 and commissioned in March 1995. JDS Myoko (DDG-175) was laid down in April 1993, launched in October 1994 and commissioned in March 1996. The last vessel of class, JDS Chokai (DDG-176), was laid down in May 1995. Chokai was launched in August 1996 for the commissioning in March 1998.
Kongo Class destroyer design
Based on the Arleigh Burke Class destroyer, the design of Kongo Class features a vertical mast and a bridge with sleek sides. The superstructure prevailed by the SPY-1 phased arrays incorporates stealth features to reduce radar cross section. The vessel is larger than traditional destroyers, featuring a longer helicopter deck aft than the Arleigh Burke Class destroyer. The deeper draught of the destroyer limits its capabilities to conduct operations in littoral environments.
The Kongo Class has a length of 161m, beam of 21m and draft of 6.2m. The full load displacement of the ship is 9,500t. The destroyer can accommodate a crew of 300.
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| The diagram of the Aegis Combat System (Baseline 2-6). |
The Kongo Class destroyers were the first vessels to be equipped with the Aegis combat system (ACS) after the US Navy warships.
The system integrates an advanced command and control system, and a weapons control system (WCS). The high-performance phased array radar system combined with powerful computers can search, detect and track over 200 targets simultaneously.
In July 2005, Lockheed Martin received a $124m contract under a foreign military sales (FMS) programme to supply the Aegis ballistic missile defence (BMD) system for four Kongo Class destroyers. Three destroyers were successfully modified with the Aegis BMD system. The system integration is expected to be complete by the end of 2010.
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| A RIM-66 Standard MR on an Mk-26 launcher |
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| RGM-84 Harpoon |
The Kongō class employs the highly advanced Aegis fire control system and is armed with the RIM-66 SM-2MR Block II surface-to-air missile, RUM-139 vertically launched anti-submarine rocket, the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, two Mark 15 20 mm Phalanx close-in weapon systems (CIWS) mounted on the vessel, two torpedo mounts in a triple tube configuration, and an Oto Melara 127 mm/54 caliber Oto-Breda compact gun. The gun can fire 40 rounds a minute within a range of 30,000m. Their Mark 41 vertical launch system can hold 90 SM-2MR missiles, of which, 21 missiles are housed in the bow cells and 61 missiles in the aft cells of the VLS. However, in keeping with the defensive mission of the JMSDF and passive role of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in general, the Kongō class lacks the Tomahawk missile.
Radars and sensors
The sensor suite includes an SPY-1D air search radar, an OPS-28 surface search radar and a missile director radar. The sonar is an OQS-102 bow-mounted low-frequency sonar. There is a NOLQ-2 intercept or jammer fitted on the destroyer.
Helicopter system
Kongo Class destroyers have a large aft flight deck to accommodate two ASW or patrol helicopters, but no helicopter hangar and support equipment is provided on these ships.
Propulsion
Kongo Class destroyers are equipped with a combined gas and gas (COGAG) propulsion system. Four Ishikawajima Harima / General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines driving two shafts develop a power output of 75MW. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 30kt (56km/h;35mph) and range 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 20 knots (37km/h;23mph)
General characteristics
Type: Guided missile destroyer
Displacement:
7,500 tons standard
9,500 tons full load
Length: 528.2 ft (161.0 m)
Beam: 68.9 ft (21.0 m)
Draft: 20.3 ft (6.2 m)
Propulsion:
4 Ishikawajima Harima/General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines;
two shafts,
100,000 shp (75,000 kW)
Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range: 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement: 300
Armament:
RGM-84 Harpoon SSM
SM-2MR Standard SAM (29 cells at the bow, 61 cell at the aft)
SM-3 Block IA ABM
RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC
2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
2 × Type 68 triple torpedo tubes (6 x Mk-46 or Type 73 torpedoes)
Aircraft carried: 1 × SH-60K helicopter
Aviation facilities: Flight deck only