Atago class destroyer

The "Atago" class of guided missile destroyers is an improved version of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)'s "Kongō" class destroyers. It is a Japanese variant of the United States Navy "Arleigh Burke"-class destroyer (Flight IIA).

Design

In 2000, the Japan Defense Agency Maritime Staff Office included another two Aegis ships in its five-year budget on top of the four "Kongo" class destroyers originally ordered.

The "Atago" class is fundamentally an improved and scaled up version of "Kongō" class destroyers. It features large accommodation and capable of flexible operation. One of the most obvious change is additional hangar to carry one SH-60K helicopter. In comparison to the "Kongō"-class/"Arleigh Burke"-class (Flight I) which only had helicopter platforms (but no support equipment), these ships have better helicopter handling facilities. To enhance "Atago" class' function as command centers, the bridge is two floors higher than "Arleigh Burke"-class Flight IIA, making its full load displacement over 10,000 tons—the first time for a JMSDF surface combat vessel. The gun caliber has extended from 54 caliber of the "Kongō" class to 62 caliber with strengthened powder charge capable 38 km firing range . As with other Japanese ships refit, US-made Harpoon missiles (as in initial configuration of "Kongō" class) are replaced with Japan-made Type 90 (SSM-1B) surface to surface guided missiles.

Japan has also purchased a manufacturing license for these weapons for use on their Kongo class Aegis destroyers. Japan Steel Works will manufacture, assemble and test the weapons.

The fire-control system for the "Atago" is Aegis Weapon System Baseline 7 phase 1, which will combine U.S.- and Japanese-manufactured systems to make up the complete Aegis system. The Aegis Weapon System baseline 7 has improved tracking accuracy for vertical targets and acquisition capability of small low altitude targets compared to Aegis Weapon System baseline 4 and 5, used in "Kongō" class. The "Atago" also use a new stealthier plain structure mast, which was originally designed in Japan, rather than familiar lattice type mast. New modified smokestack and other improvements are also introduced to make "Atago" stealthier.

Like the "Kongō" class, the "Atago" destroyers are equipped with a comprehensive suite of weapon systems including:
* Japan Type 90 (SSM-1B) anti-ship missile
* 96-cell Mk-41 VLS (64 cells in forward area, 32 cells in stern area):* RIM-66 Standard surface-to-air missile :* ASROC anti-submarine missile
* 2 x Mark 15 20 mm CIWS gun mounts
* 2 x torpedo mounts in a triple-tube configuration
* Mk 45 Mod 4 127 mm 62-caliber gun, in stealth shaped mount. Made by Japan Steel Works under US-license.

In keeping with Japan's pacifist constitution, the "Atago" class does not use the Tomahawk missile.As the two ships of "Atago" class are entering service, Tachikaze class destroyer (Tachikaze and Asakaze) are to be decommisioned.

Ships in the class

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/7700ton.htm GlobalSecurity.org; JMSDF DDG Atago Class]

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