The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is the second largest fleet in the Asia-Pacific region.
A well-thought-out combat system, where the latest technology is closely intertwined with ancient samurai traditions. The Japanese navy has long lost the status of a "funny" formation, existing only to delight the eyes of the Japanese themselves and to perform minor auxiliary tasks within the multinational system of the US Navy. Despite their pronounced defensive nature, modern Japanese sailors are capable of independently conducting hostilities and protecting the interests of the Nihon Koku in the Pacific Ocean.
The leading force of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces has traditionally been destroyers. The stake on destroyers is easy to explain: this class of ships successfully combines versatility and reasonable cost. Today, the Japanese fleet includes 44 ships of this class, built at different times according to 10 different projects.
Launch of anti-aircraft missile SM-3 from the Aegis destroyer "Congo", 2007
Despite the apparent inconsistency and lack of standardization, which should complicate maintenance and increase the operating costs of such a diverse squadron, the destroyer forces of the Japanese Navy are clearly divided according to their purpose into three large groups:
- Aegis destroyers to provide zonal air defense / missile defense;
- destroyers-helicopter carriers - a specific attribute of the Japanese fleet, for the most part perform the tasks of search and rescue and anti-submarine ships;
- "ordinary" destroyers, whose tasks include ensuring the safety of the squadron from sea and underwater threats. They also serve as platforms for the deployment of air defense facilities.
The apparent variety of designs in fact turns out to be a combination of several similar projects with modified superstructures and an updated composition of weapons. The naval self-defense forces are rapidly evolving - every year in Japan funds are allocated for the construction of 1-2 new destroyers. This allows you to quickly make changes to ship designs in accordance with changing external conditions and gaining access to new technologies. The main feature is that the Japanese manage to translate these ideas not only on paper, but in metal.
Elderly JDS "Hatakaze" (DDG-171) at an international exercise in 2011
If we exclude from consideration the obviously outdated ships built in the 1980s and preparing for decommissioning in the near future, then the composition of the surface component of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces will look like this: 10 modern destroyers of the types "Congo", "Atago", "Akizuki" and "Hyuga", adopted by the JMSDF in the period from 1993 to 2013.
In addition, the fleet includes 14 more universal destroyers of the Murasame and Takanami types, which were accepted into the fleet's combat strength in the period 1996-2006. These ships are cheaper versions of the Aegis destroyers - "transitional" projects for testing new technologies, which were later implemented on the Akizuki.
Aegis destroyer Atago and versatile Murasame-class destroyer
Today I would like to talk about the evolution of Japanese destroyers. The topic is not easy, but acquaintance with it gives many reasons for controversy. Are the Japanese doing the right thing in relying on destroyers?
IJIS Destroyers. Combat core of the fleet
Type "Congo"
A series of four ships was built between 1990-1998.
Full displacement of 9580 tons. Crew 300 people.
Gas turbine power plant (4 licensed gas turbine engines LM2500) with a capacity of 100,000 hp
Full speed 30 knots.
The cruising range is 4500 miles at an economic speed of 20 knots.
Armament:
- 90 vertical launchers Mk.41 (anti-aircraft missiles SM-2, SM-3, PLUR ASROC VLS);
- 127 mm universal gun with a barrel length of 54 caliber;
- 8 anti-ship missiles "Harpoon";
- 2 anti-aircraft guns "Falanx";
- small-sized anti-submarine torpedoes, aft landing pad for the helicopter.
JDS Congo (DDG-173)
A massive "tower" of the superstructure, whose walls are decorated with AN / SPY-1 radar grilles, below-deck UVP for 29 (bow) and 61 (aft group) cells, characteristic chimneys, white caps of "Falanxes", a cramped helipad at the stern … Yes it is the same modified American "Orly Burke" of the first sub-series (Flight I) with all its advantages and disadvantages!
It is known how difficult the decision to transfer Aegis technology to Japan was - the negotiations lasted four years, and finally, in 1988, Congress approved the decision - Japan was the first of the US allies to gain access to the secret technology. Construction of the first ship began two years later - in March 1990. The destroyer Orly Burke was taken as a basis, however, the Japanese version differs markedly from the prototype, both in the internal layout and in the external appearance. All four ships were named after the renowned Imperial Navy cruisers who fought in World War II.
At first glance, a bulky bow superstructure and a vertical mast stand out. Compared to the original "Burk", the superstructure layout and the placement of weapons have undergone changes; instead of the American Mk.45 gun, a 127 mm cannon from the Italian company OTO Breda was installed.
Unlike dozens of American "rank-and-file" Burke-class fighters, the Japanese decided to saturate their four most modern destroyers with a variety of equipment, turning them into multifunctional warships.
At the moment, the ships have undergone the rearmament of the Standard SM-3 missile defense system to destroy targets in the upper atmosphere and in low earth orbit. Destroyers of the "Congo" type are included in the "anti-missile shield" of Japan - their key task is to repel possible attacks by ballistic missiles from North Korea.
Type "Atago"
A series of two ships was built in the period 2004-2008.
They are a further development of the Congo-class Aegis destroyers. The destroyer "Berk" of the sub-series IIA (Flight IIA) was chosen as the prototype of the Atago - together with the saturation of additional equipment, the total displacement of the Atago exceeded 10,000 tons!
In the foreground is JDS Ashigara (DDG-178)
Compared to the "Congo", the new destroyer received a helicopter hangar, the height of the superstructure increased - a two-level flagship command post was located inside. BIUS "Aegis" has been upgraded to Baseline 7 (phase 1). The UVP was modernized - the rejection of the loading devices made it possible to increase the number of launch cells to 96 pieces. Instead of the Italian cannon, a licensed American Mk.45 with a barrel length of 62 caliber was installed. The Harpoon anti-ship missiles were replaced with Type 90 (SSM-1B) anti-ship missiles of our own design.
The only thing the Japanese bitterly regret is the absence of Tomahawk tactical cruise missiles on board the Atago. Alas … the Japanese navy is forbidden to have strike weapons.
"REGULAR" DESTROYERS
Type "Murasame" (Japanese "heavy rain")
A series of 9 units was built between 1993 and 2002.
Full displacement 6100 tons. Crew 165 people.
Gas turbine power plant (a combination of licensed GTE LM2500 and Rolls-Royce Spey SM1C) with a capacity of 60,000 hp.
Full speed 30 knots.
The cruising range is 4500 miles at an economic speed of 18 knots.
Armament:
- 16 vertical launchers Mk.48 (32 anti-aircraft missiles ESSM);
- 16 vertical launchers Mk.41 (16 ASROC-VL anti-submarine rocket torpedoes)
- 8 anti-ship missiles "Type 90" (SSM-1B);
- 76 mm universal gun OTO Melara;
- 2 anti-aircraft guns "Falanx";
- small-sized anti-submarine torpedoes;
- anti-submarine helicopter "Mitsubishi" SH-60J / K (licensed version "Sikorsky" SH-60 Seahawk).
Murasame-class destroyers visiting Pearl Harbor
“Hope on the States, but don’t make a mistake yourself” - this is probably how the JMSDF leadership reasoned in the early 1990s, when it was deciding on the design and construction of Murasame-class destroyers. These ships were supposed to be the development of their own destroyer projects with "interspersed" technologies of the foreign "Orly Burk". A cheaper version of the universal destroyer, whose main tasks include anti-submarine defense and the fight against enemy surface ships.
Outwardly, "Murasame" was not similar to any of the ships that were previously built in Japan. Add-ons with elements of stealth technology have changed the look of the new destroyer beyond recognition.
The first in the world radar with active phased array OPS-24, installed on a platform in front of the mast (own Japanese development). Underdeck launchers Mk.41 and Mk.48. Electronic countermeasures system NOLQ-3 (licensed version of the American AN / SLQ-32) … but the main feature of Murasame was hidden inside - the destroyer was equipped with a new generation combat information and control system of the C4I type (command, control, computer, communication & intelligence), created on the basis of the American Aegis subsystems.
JS "Akebono" (DD108), type "Murasame"
Initially, the Murasame project envisaged the construction of 14 destroyers, but during the construction process it became clear that the design of the destroyer has room for further development. As a result, the last 5 destroyers of the series were completed according to the Takanami project.
Type "Takanami" (Japanese "high wave")
A series of 5 units was built in the period 2000 - 2006.
JS "Onami" (DD-111), type "Takanami"
The new destroyer received improved communication and fire control systems. The composition of the weapons was updated: instead of two scattered UVPs - Mk.41 and Mk.48 - a single module for 32 cells (ASROC-VL rocket torpedoes, anti-aircraft ESSMs) was installed in the bow of the Takanami. The artillery mount was replaced with a more powerful Italian OTO Breda 127 mm caliber.
The rest of the original design has not changed.
Akizuki type (Japanese for "autumn moon")
A series of 2 units was built in the period 2009 - 2013. Two more destroyers of this type are planned to be commissioned in 2014.
Full displacement 6800 tons. Crew 200 people.
Power plant type - 4 licensed Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines Spey SM1C
Full speed 30 knots.
Cruising range: 4500 miles at an economic speed of 18 knots.
Armament:
- 32 vertical launchers Mk.41 (ESSM anti-aircraft missiles - 4 in each cell, ASROC-VL PLUR);
- 8 anti-ship missiles "Type 90" (SSM-1B);
- 127 mm universal gun Mk.45 mod.4;
- 2 anti-aircraft guns "Falanx";
- small-sized anti-submarine torpedoes;
- anti-submarine helicopter "Mitsubishi" SH-60J / K.
"Autumn Moon" is the heir to the legendary Japanese air defense destroyers of the Second World War.
The current Akizuki is in many ways an ingenious construction that has transformed American ideas in the manner of the Land of the Rising Sun. The main element around which the destroyer is built is the ATECS combat information and control system, known among specialists as the "Japanese Aegis". A promising Japanese BIUS is half assembled (well, who would doubt it!) From American nodes - work computer stations AN / UYQ-70, standard "NATO" data deception network Link 16, satellite communication terminals SATCOM, sonar complex OQQ-22, which is a copy of the American ship SJSC AN / SQQ-89 …
But there is also a serious difference - the FCS-3A detection system (developed by Mitsubishi / Thales Netherlands), consisting of two radars with active phased array, operating in the frequency ranges C (wavelength 7, 5 to 3, 75 cm) and X (wavelength from 3.75 to 2.5 cm).
JS Akizuki (DD-115)
The FCS-3A system endows the Akizuki with absolutely fantastic talents: in terms of the ability to repel massive air attacks and detect low-flying anti-ship missiles, the Japanese destroyer is head and shoulders above the American Orly Burke.
Unlike the decimeter AN / SPY-1, Japanese centimeter-range radars clearly see targets at an extremely low altitude, near the surface of the water. In addition, the active HEADLIGHT provides several dozen guidance channels in any direction - the destroyer is capable of simultaneously aiming missiles at many air targets (for comparison: the American Burk has only three AN / SPG-62 radars for target illumination, of which on the front hemisphere there is only one).
To be fair, it should be noted that in terms of intercepting targets at long distances, the capabilities of the Berk and Akizuki are incomparable - the powerful AN / SPY-1 is able to control the situation even in low Earth orbits.
We must pay tribute to the Japanese - "Akizuki" is really cool. A real impregnable fort, capable of smashing targets on the water, under water and in the air. Moreover, the latest electronic systems and weapons were successfully housed in a hull structurally similar to the Murasame and Takanami destroyers. As a result, the cost of building the lead super-ship was "only" $ 893 million. This is really very little for a ship with such capabilities - for comparison, modern modifications of American Berks are sold at a price of $ 1.8 billion!
As part of the JMSDF concept, Akizuki-class destroyers are designed for joint operations with Aegis destroyers - they must cover their senior “colleagues” from underwater attacks and provide air defense at short and medium distances.
HELICOPTER destroyers
Hyuga type
A series of 2 units was built in the period 2006 - 2011.
Full displacement of 19,000 tons. Crew 360 people
Gas turbine power plant (4 licensed gas turbine engines LM2500) with a capacity of 100,000 hp
Full speed 30 knots.
Built-in weapons:
- 16 vertical launchers Mk.41 (anti-aircraft missiles ESSM, PLUR ASROC-VL);
- 2 anti-aircraft guns "Falanx";
- small-sized anti-submarine torpedoes of 324 mm caliber;
Aircraft weapons:
- 11 SH-60J / K and AugustaWestland MCH-101 helicopters (standard air group);
- continuous flight deck, 4 positions where takeoff and landing operations can be carried out simultaneously, below deck hangar, 2 aircraft lifts..
Many naval enthusiasts stubbornly mistake these strange oversized destroyers for light aircraft carriers. A lot of "serious" calculations have already been made - how many F-35 fighters can fit on the Hyuga deck, how to install a springboard … no one pays attention to the fact that Japan does not plan to acquire F-35B VTOL aircraft question).
The Hyuga is just a large helicopter destroyer, the successor to the traditional JMSDF class of ships. It does not resemble any of the existing aircraft carriers, just as it does not resemble the Mistral UDC - despite its similar size and helicopter air group, the Hyuga does not have a docking camera and is not a universal amphibious assault ship.
In return, it has a 30-knot speed and a set of built-in weapons (medium-range anti-aircraft missiles, anti-submarine rocket torpedoes, self-defense systems) - all this is controlled by the ATECS BIUS and wonderful FCS-3 radars, similar to those installed on the Akizuki. As well as underkeeping sonar OQQ-21, advanced electronic warfare systems - everything is like on a real destroyer.
But the most notable feature of the Hyuga is a continuous flight deck and an overly numerous air group for a destroyer - 11 multipurpose and anti-submarine helicopters (their number may well exceed the declared figure, because 16 aircraft fit on a similarly sized Mistral).
What is the point of building such monsters?
The Japanese see the use of helicopter destroyers as effective anti-submarine ships. Search and rescue functions, work in emergency zones, naval patrol missions. Surely there is a possibility of landing from the board of the "Hyuga" precision helicopter assault forces; participation in international military operations as an auxiliary ship is possible.
The continuous flight deck allows to receive not only SeaHawks, but, in the future, large helicopters and tiltrotors.
In general, according to the logic of the Japanese command, the possession of a pair of such ships can significantly increase the potential of the fleet and diversify the number of tasks performed. Finally, the very appearance of a hefty destroyer-helicopter carrier will not leave indifferent any of the visitors to the naval salon, the Hyuga and its sister ship Ise increase the prestige of naval sailors not only in the eyes of the entire nation, but also abroad.
Epilogue
Predicting the questions ahead: What does all this mean for the Russian Pacific Fleet? Who is stronger - ours or "Japs"? I can only note the following: it makes no sense to compare the Pacific Fleet and JMSDF "head-on" - the fleets created for different tasks are too different.
Nevertheless, the JMSDF look more profitable for one simple reason - the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces exist within the framework of a clear concept related to countering direct military threats from North Korea and protecting their interests in the East China Sea from claims from the PRC. As for our Pacific Fleet, probably none of those present will be able to clearly formulate the answer to the question: what specific tasks our Pacific Fleet is solving and what ships it needs for this.
