This class is made a number of firsts among general purpose destroyers of the JMSDF.
It was the first class to use Combined gas or gas (COGOG) propulsion system. The all-gas-turbine propulsion system is composed of two Kawasaki-Rolls-Royce Tyne RM1C gas turbines for crusing and two Kawasaki-Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbines for high speed operation. It introduced the concept of total ship systems engineering with an integrated combat system. The core of the combat system is the OYQ-5 Tactical Data Processing System (TDPS). The OYQ-5 TDPS is composed of one AN/UYK-20 computer and five OJ-194B workstations, and capable of receiving data automatically from other ships via Link-14 (STANAG 5514).
This is the first destroyer class in the JMSDF equipped with the Sea Sparrow Improved basic point defense missile system and Boeing Harpoon surface-to-surface missile system for AAW and ASuW respectively. The IBPDMS of this class uses FCS-2 fire-control systems of Japanese make and one Mk.29 octuple launcher at the afterdeck.
The class introduced the capability to operate an ASW Helicopter. While the JMSDF already had the Haruna class of "helicopter destroyer", the Hatsuyuki class were the first air-capable general purpose destroyer class. Although it has a small aviation deck, through a beartrap system, the class can operate the Sikorsky HSS-2B Sea King anti-submarine helicopter safely in a wider range of weather conditions.
The Shirayuki (DD-123) was retrofitted with the Phalanx CIWS system in early 1982, the modification was then applied to the rest of the class gradually - being completed by 1996. The Matsuyuki (DD-130) was fitted with a towed sonar array in 1990, followed by the Hatsuyuki (DD-122) in 1994, work ongoing to apply the fit to the rest of the class. From DD-129 onwards, steel replaced aluminium for key elements of the superstructure, including the bridge, this increased the overall displacement.
Hatsuyuki and Shirayuki are named after World War II destroyers.
Shimayuki (DD-133) was re-classed training vessel in 18 March 1999.
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Hatsuyuki class destroyer |
| Builders: | Hitachi Zosen Corporation IHI Corporation Sumitomo Heavy Industries Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding |
| Operators: |  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
| Preceded by: | Yamagumo-class destroyer |
| Succeeded by: | Asagiri-class destroyer |
| Built: | 1979–1986 |
| In commission: | 1982– |
| Completed: | 12 |
| Active: | 11 |
| Retired: | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Displacement: | 2,950 long tons (2,997 t) standard 3,050 long tons (3,099 t) standard (DD 129 to DD 132) |
| Length: | 130 m (430 ft) |
| Beam: | 13.6 m (44 ft 7 in) |
| Draft: | 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in) 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in) (DD 129 to DD 132) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Kawasaki-Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbines, 45,000 shp (34 MW) 2 × RR Type Kawasaki RM1C gas turbines, 9,900 shp (7.4 MW) 2 shafts, cp props |
| Speed: | 30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h) |
| Complement: | 200 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: | 1 × SH-60J(K) anti-submarine helicopter |
