The Yamagumo class are vessels of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, usually classified as a destroyer, but due to their relatively light displacement, in other sources as a destroyer escort. This class is the successor of the Akizuki-class destroyer and the predecessor of the Minegumo-class destroyer.
This class was planned to become the new generation workhorse of the fleet of the JMSDF. Aiming this objective, it equipped with some new generation weapon and sensor systems such as the ASROC anti-submarine rocket and the OPS-11 early warning radar (Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-40 radar).
The Minegumo class destroyer derived from this class as the new DASH equipped version, but after the QH-50D DASH was scrapped, the JMSDF decided on resuming the construction of this class. The latter batch sometimes called as the Aokumo class, and there are some point improved mainly in their electronics such as the OQS-3 hull-sonar (Japanese variant of the American AN/SQS-23) and the AN/SQS-35 variable depth sonar system.
| Yamagumo class destroyer | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Yamagumo class destroyer |
| Operators: |  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
| Preceded by: | Akizuki-class destroyer |
| Succeeded by: | (the earlier batch) Minegumo-class (the latter batch) Hatsuyuki-class |
| Subclasses: | • Yamagumo class (Earlier batch) • Aokumo class (Latter batch) |
| Built: | 1964–1977 |
| In commission: | 1966–2005 |
| Completed: | 6 |
| Retired: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Displacement: | Yamagumo class 2,050 long tons (2,083 t) standard Aokumo and Akigumo 2,150 long tons (2,185 t) standard Yūgumo 2,200 long tons (2,235 t) standard |
| Length: | Yamagumo class 114.0 m (374 ft 0 in) overall Aokumo class 115.2 m (377 ft 11 in) overall |
| Beam: | 11.8 m (38 ft 9 in) |
| Draft: | Yamagumo class 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in) Aokumo class 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion: | Yamagumo 4 × Mitsui 1228 V3 BU-38V diesels 2 × Mitsui 1628 V3 BU-38V diesels 2 shafts, 26,000 bhp Makigumo and Akigumo 6 × Mitsubishi 12 UEV 30/40 diesels Aokumo class 6 × Mitsubishi 12 UEV 30/40N diesels |
| Speed: | Yūgumo 28 knots (32 mph; 52 km/h) all others 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h) |
| Range: | 6,000 nmi (11,000 km) |
| Complement: | Yamagumo class 210 Aokumo class 220 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Yamagumo class AN/SQS-23 Aokumo class OQS-3 (Type 66 passive sonar) VDS AN/SQS-35(J) |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: | OPS-11B, OPS-17 Akigumo and Yūgumo NOLR-6 all others NOLR-1B |
| Armament: |
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