Yamagumo-class destroyer

JDS Yūgumo (DD-121)
Class overview
Name:	Yamagumo class
Operators:	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by:	Akizuki class
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 & decoys:	OPS-11B, OPS-17 Akigumo and Yūgumo NOLR-6 all others NOLR-1B
Armament:	4 × Mk.33 3"/50 caliber guns 1 × ASROC anti-submarine rocket system 1 × 375 mm (15 in) ASW rocket launcher 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes

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 and the predecessor of the Minegumo class.

This class was planned to become the new generation workhorse of the fleet of the JMSDF. In support of this objective, it was 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 improvements, 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.

Ships

References

• Eric Wertheim (2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2. 
• The Maru Special, Ships of the JMSDF No.58 "Escort ship Yamagumo-class and Minegumo-class", Ushio Shobō (Japan), December 1981