The Gwanggaeto the Great class destroyers, often called KD-I class, are destroyers, but are classified by some as frigates, operated by the Republic of Korea Navy. It was the first phase of ROKN's KDX program, in moving the ROK Navy from a coastal defence force to a blue-water navy.
The primary weapon deployed by Gwanggaeto the Great class vessels is the Super Lynx helicopter, which acts in concert with shipboard sensors to seek out and destroy submarines at long distances from the ships. The Gwanggaeto-class also carries a close-in anti-submarine weapon in the form of the Mark 46 torpedoes, launched from triple torpedo tubes in launcher compartments either side of the forward end of the helicopter hangar. A secondary anti-shipping role is supported by the RGM-84 Harpoon surface-to-surface missile, mounted in two quadruple launch tubes at the main deck level between the funnel and the helicopter hangar. For anti-aircraft self-defense the Gwanggaeto-class carries 16 RIM-7P Sea Sparrow. The Gwanggaeto-class also carries two 30mm Goalkeeper to provide a shipboard point-defense against incoming anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The main gun on the forecastle is an OTO Melara 127 gun.
The Gwanggaeto the Great class is powered by two General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines and two Sangyong 20V 956 TB 82 diesel engines. The Gwanggaeto-class can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots.
The primary weapon deployed by Gwanggaeto the Great class vessels is the Super Lynx helicopter, which acts in concert with shipboard sensors to seek out and destroy submarines at long distances from the ships. The Gwanggaeto-class also carries a close-in anti-submarine weapon in the form of the Mark 46 torpedoes, launched from triple torpedo tubes in launcher compartments either side of the forward end of the helicopter hangar. A secondary anti-shipping role is supported by the RGM-84 Harpoon surface-to-surface missile, mounted in two quadruple launch tubes at the main deck level between the funnel and the helicopter hangar. For anti-aircraft self-defense the Gwanggaeto-class carries 16 RIM-7P Sea Sparrow. The Gwanggaeto-class also carries two 30mm Goalkeeper to provide a shipboard point-defense against incoming anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The main gun on the forecastle is an OTO Melara 127 gun.
The Gwanggaeto the Great class is powered by two General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines and two Sangyong 20V 956 TB 82 diesel engines. The Gwanggaeto-class can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots.
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Daewoo Heavy Industries Co. |
| Operators: |  Republic of Korea Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class destroyer (KD-II) |
| In commission: | 1998– |
| Completed: | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Displacement: | 3,885–3,900 tonnes (3,824–3,838 long tons) full load |
| Length: | 135.5 m (444 ft 7 in) |
| Beam: | 14.2 m (46 ft 7 in) |
| Draft: | 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines 2 × Sangyong 20V 956 TB 82 diesel engines 2 shafts |
| Speed: | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range: | 4,500 nmi (8,300 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h) |
| Complement: | 286 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | • AN/SPS-49(V) 2D air search radar • Signaal MW 08 surface search radar • Daewoo SPS-95k navigation radar • 2 × Signaal STIR 180 Fire control radars • ATLAS DSQS-21BZ Hull mounted sonar |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: | • SLQ-25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy • ARGOSystems AR 700 and APECS 2 ECM • 4 × CSEE DAGAIE MK.2 Chaff Launchers |
| Armament: | • 1 × OTO Melara 127 mm (5 inch)/54 gun • 2 × Signaal 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS • 2 × quadruple Harpoon missile canisters • 1 × Mk.48 mod2 VLS with 16 RIM-7P Sea Sparrow missiles • 2 × triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes (Mark 46 torpedoes) |
| Aircraft carried: | 2 × Super Lynx helicopters |
