Kongo class destroyer
Encyclopedia
The of guided missile destroyer
s serves as the core ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
's Escort Flotillas. They are a modification of the United States Navy
's Arleigh Burke class (Flight I)
.
fire control system and is armed with the RIM-66 SM-2MR Block II
surface-to-air missile
, RUM-139
vertically launched anti-submarine rocket, the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile
, two Mark 15 20 mm CIWS
gun mounts, two torpedo
mounts in a triple tube configuration, and an Oto Melara 127 mm/54 caliber gun
. Its Mark 41 vertical launch system
can hold 90 missiles. However, in keeping with the defensive mission of the JMSDF and passive role of the Japan Self-Defense Forces
in general, the Kongō-class lacks the Tomahawk missile.
As on other ships employing the Aegis system, the superstructure is dominated by the SPY-1
's phased arrays, which eliminates the need for a traditional rotating antenna. The design of the superstructure also incorporates certain stealth features, designed to reduce radar cross section of the ship; however, as a consequence, the ship is considerably more top-heavy than a typical destroyer and requires a much deeper draft. As such, operations in a littoral (coastal) environment are limited. Overall, Kongō-class destroyers are much larger than traditional destroyers and at 9,485 tons displacement come close to cruiser
s in size. Because they are built to different operational requirements than the Arleigh Burke-class ships, such as for carrying extra equipments for commanding a squadron, the Kongō-class ships' internal arrangement is quite different from the original design on which they are based. Recognisable external features are the vertical mast and the sleek sides of the bridge.
The Kongō class vessels are being modified to serve in a theater missile defense
role, with the primary intention of countering North Korea
n ballistic missile
s. This purpose and a financial crisis made the Flight II variant of the Arleigh Burke class the choice for the follow-on class to the Tachikaze
and Asakaze. The new destroyer was named Atago
in 2005.
Kongō class destroyers are powered by four Ishikawajima-Harima LM2500 gas turbine
s.
In December 2007, Japan conducted a successful test of the SM-3 block IA against a ballistic missile aboard JDS Kongō (DDG-173)
. This was the first time a Japanese ship was selected to launch the interceptor missile during a test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
. In previous tests they provided tracking and communications. Afterward, Japan has also undertaken another two successful Ballistic Missile Defense test aboard JDS Myōkō
in October 2009 and aboard JDS Kirishima
in October 2010. While one test aboard JDS Chōkai
in November 2008 was failed to intercept the target.
.
Two of the class are (apparently coincidentally) given the same names as previous Japanese Kongō-class capital ships, the lead ship being named similarly to the battlecruiser
Kongō
, and the next ship similarly to the Kirishima
. Both ships were sunk during World War II
.
The other ships in this class bear the same names as the heavy cruiser
s Myōkō
and Chōkai.
In the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, it appears in the 7th chapter, when the 02 unit coming from Germany arrives to Japan, facing the attack of the 7th Angel (Gaghiel), when they're transporting the unit to the Japanese complex of NERV (also seen is the Arleigh Burke class DDG-61). In the alternate history series Zipang
, a Kongo-class destroyer called the DDG-182 みらい (Mirai)
is involved in a time slip that sends the ship and the crew back in time to the Battle of Midway
.
The JMSDF allowed the producers of the Japanese movie 亡国のイージス ("Boukoku no Aegis") to shoot aboard the DDG-175 Myōkō, which stood in as the film's Aegis destroyer, called the いそかぜ (Isokaze). The DDG-175 hull number was retained for the movie. In the Tom Clancy
novel Debt of Honor
, the lead ship of the line, the Mutsu figured prominently in a Japanese plot to wrest the US Navy's control of the Western Pacific region.
The Ace Combat
series of flight simulation video games used the Kongo class in several missions where the player faces naval forces.
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s serves as the core ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
's Escort Flotillas. They are a modification of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
's Arleigh Burke class (Flight I)
Arleigh Burke class destroyer
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the United States Navy's first class of destroyer built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The class is named for Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, the most famous American destroyer officer of...
.
Design
The Kongō class employs the highly advanced AegisAegis combat system
The Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of RCA, and now produced by Lockheed Martin...
fire control system and is armed with the RIM-66 SM-2MR Block II
RIM-66 Standard
The RIM-66 Standard MR is a medium range surface-to-air missile originally developed for the United States Navy . The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships...
surface-to-air missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
, RUM-139
ASROC
ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates...
vertically launched anti-submarine rocket, the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
, two Mark 15 20 mm CIWS
Phalanx CIWS
The Phalanx CIWS is an anti-ship missile defense system. It is a close-in weapon system and was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division...
gun mounts, two torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
mounts in a triple tube configuration, and an Oto Melara 127 mm/54 caliber gun
Otobreda 127/54 Compact
The Otobreda 127mm/54 Compact gun is a naval artillery piece built by the Italian company Oto Melara. The gun is completely new but uses the same semi fixed ammunition as the American 5 inch/ 54 gun. It was introduced into service in 1968. A new advanced lightweight mounting for corvettes has been...
. Its Mark 41 vertical launch system
Vertical Launching System
A vertical launching system is a system for holding and firing missiles on surface ships and submarines used by many navies around the world. Each VLS system consists of a number of cells, which can hold one or more missiles ready for firing...
can hold 90 missiles. However, in keeping with the defensive mission of the JMSDF and passive role of the Japan Self-Defense Forces
Japan Self-Defense Forces
The , or JSDF, occasionally referred to as JSF or SDF, are the unified military forces of Japan that were established after the end of the post–World War II Allied occupation of Japan. For most of the post-war period the JSDF was confined to the islands of Japan and not permitted to be deployed...
in general, the Kongō-class lacks the Tomahawk missile.
As on other ships employing the Aegis system, the superstructure is dominated by the SPY-1
AN/SPY-1
The AN/SPY-1 is a US naval radar system manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The array is a passive electronically scanned system and is a key component of the Aegis Combat System. The system is computer controlled, using four complementary antennas to provide 360 degree coverage...
's phased arrays, which eliminates the need for a traditional rotating antenna. The design of the superstructure also incorporates certain stealth features, designed to reduce radar cross section of the ship; however, as a consequence, the ship is considerably more top-heavy than a typical destroyer and requires a much deeper draft. As such, operations in a littoral (coastal) environment are limited. Overall, Kongō-class destroyers are much larger than traditional destroyers and at 9,485 tons displacement come close to cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s in size. Because they are built to different operational requirements than the Arleigh Burke-class ships, such as for carrying extra equipments for commanding a squadron, the Kongō-class ships' internal arrangement is quite different from the original design on which they are based. Recognisable external features are the vertical mast and the sleek sides of the bridge.
The Kongō class vessels are being modified to serve in a theater missile defense
Missile defense
Missile defense is a system, weapon, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception and destruction of attacking missiles. Originally conceived as a defence against nuclear-armed Intercontinental ballistic missiles , its application has broadened to include shorter-ranged...
role, with the primary intention of countering North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n ballistic missile
Ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
s. This purpose and a financial crisis made the Flight II variant of the Arleigh Burke class the choice for the follow-on class to the Tachikaze
Tachikaze class destroyer
The Tachikaze class destroyer is a second generation Guided missile destroyer, formerly in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . The ships of this class have had successive improvements after their completion, especially to their C4I systems...
and Asakaze. The new destroyer was named Atago
Atago class destroyer
The is an improved version of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 's Kongō class destroyers. It is a Japanese variant of the United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer ....
in 2005.
Kongō class destroyers are powered by four Ishikawajima-Harima LM2500 gas turbine
Gas turbine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between....
s.
In December 2007, Japan conducted a successful test of the SM-3 block IA against a ballistic missile aboard JDS Kongō (DDG-173)
JDS Kongo (DDG-173)
JDS Kongō is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Kongō is the third Japanese naval vessel named for Mount Kongō....
. This was the first time a Japanese ship was selected to launch the interceptor missile during a test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System is a United States Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency program developed to provide defense against ballistic missiles. It is part of the United States national missile defense strategy...
. In previous tests they provided tracking and communications. Afterward, Japan has also undertaken another two successful Ballistic Missile Defense test aboard JDS Myōkō
JDS Myoko (DDG-175)
JDS Myōkō is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Myōkō was named for Mount Myōkō....
in October 2009 and aboard JDS Kirishima
JDS Kirishima (DDG-174)
JDS Kirishima is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Kirishima was named for Mount Kirishima....
in October 2010. While one test aboard JDS Chōkai
JDS Chokai (DDG-176)
JDS Chōkai is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Chōkai was named for Mount Chōkai....
in November 2008 was failed to intercept the target.
Namesakes
All Kongō-class destroyers take their names from Japan's mountains, the class name referring to Mount KongōMount Kongo
is a 1125 meter high mountain in the Senshū region of the Osaka Prefecture, Kansai, Japan. It is near Mount Katsuragi.The mountain has lent its name to a series of naval ships and ship classes: the Imperial Japanese Navy's 1877 corvette Kongō; 1912 battleship Kongō, the nameship of her class; and...
.
Two of the class are (apparently coincidentally) given the same names as previous Japanese Kongō-class capital ships, the lead ship being named similarly to the battlecruiser
Battlecruiser
Battlecruisers were large capital ships built in the first half of the 20th century. They were developed in the first decade of the century as the successor to the armoured cruiser, but their evolution was more closely linked to that of the dreadnought battleship...
Kongō
Japanese battleship Kongo
Kongō was a warship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War I and World War II. She was the first battlecruiser of the Kongō class, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. Her designer was the British naval engineer George Thurston, and she was laid down in 1911 at...
, and the next ship similarly to the Kirishima
Japanese battleship Kirishima
was a warship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War I and World War II. Designed by British naval engineer George Thurston, she was the third launched of the four Kongō-class battlecruisers, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built...
. Both ships were sunk during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The other ships in this class bear the same names as the heavy cruiser
Heavy cruiser
The heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre . The heavy cruiser can be seen as a lineage of ship design from 1915 until 1945, although the term 'heavy cruiser' only came into formal use in 1930...
s Myōkō
Japanese cruiser Myoko
was the name-ship of the four-member of heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy — the other ships of the class being the Nachi, Ashigara, and Haguro....
and Chōkai.
Ships in the class
| Building no. | Pennant no. | Name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Home port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2313 | DDG-173 | Kongō JDS Kongo (DDG-173) JDS Kongō is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Kongō is the third Japanese naval vessel named for Mount Kongō.... |
8 May 1990 | 26 September 1991 | 25 March 1993 | Sasebo Sasebo, Nagasaki is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park... |
| 2314 | DDG-174 | Kirishima JDS Kirishima (DDG-174) JDS Kirishima is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Kirishima was named for Mount Kirishima.... |
7 April 1992 | 19 August 1993 | 16 March 1995 | Yokosuka Yokosuka, Kanagawa is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan. As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 419,067 and a population density of 4,160 people per km². It covered an area of 100.62 km²... |
| 2315 | DDG-175 | Myōkō JDS Myoko (DDG-175) JDS Myōkō is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Myōkō was named for Mount Myōkō.... |
8 April 1993 | 5 October 1994 | 14 March 1996 | Maizuru Maizuru, Kyoto is a city located in Kyōto, Japan, on an inlet of the Sea of Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 89,626 and the density of 264 persons per km². The total area is .The city was founded on May 27, 1943.... |
| 2316 | DDG-176 | Chōkai JDS Chokai (DDG-176) JDS Chōkai is a Kongō class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . Chōkai was named for Mount Chōkai.... |
29 May 1995 | 27 August 1996 | 20 March 1998 | Sasebo Sasebo, Nagasaki is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park... |
The Kongō class in popular culture
The Kongo class has been featured in a few anime, video games, and one feature film.In the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, it appears in the 7th chapter, when the 02 unit coming from Germany arrives to Japan, facing the attack of the 7th Angel (Gaghiel), when they're transporting the unit to the Japanese complex of NERV (also seen is the Arleigh Burke class DDG-61). In the alternate history series Zipang
Zipang (manga)
is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Kaiji Kawaguchi. It was first serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine from 2000 until 2009, and published in 43 volumes. Its popularity has extended to middle schoolers who enjoy history...
, a Kongo-class destroyer called the DDG-182 みらい (Mirai)
DDG-182 Mirai
The JDS Mirai, DDG-182, is a fictional ship created for the anime series Zipang. The central point of the plot of the anime is that the modern warship Mirai is transported back sixty years through time to the year 1942 on the eve of the Battle of Midway...
is involved in a time slip that sends the ship and the crew back in time to the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
.
The JMSDF allowed the producers of the Japanese movie 亡国のイージス ("Boukoku no Aegis") to shoot aboard the DDG-175 Myōkō, which stood in as the film's Aegis destroyer, called the いそかぜ (Isokaze). The DDG-175 hull number was retained for the movie. In the Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy
Thomas Leo "Tom" Clancy, Jr. is an American author, best known for his technically detailed espionage, military science, and techno thriller storylines set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War, along with video games on which he did not work, but which bear his name for licensing and...
novel Debt of Honor
Debt of Honor
Debt of Honor is a novel by Tom Clancy. It is a continuation of the series featuring his character Jack Ryan. In this installment, Ryan has become the National Security Advisor when the Japanese government goes to war with the United States...
, the lead ship of the line, the Mutsu figured prominently in a Japanese plot to wrest the US Navy's control of the Western Pacific region.
The Ace Combat
Ace Combat
Ace Combat is a hybrid arcade-simulation flight action video game series featuring 12 games, published by the Japanese company Namco Bandai Games...
series of flight simulation video games used the Kongo class in several missions where the player faces naval forces.
External links
- GlobalSecurity.org; JMSDF DDG Kongo Class
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces page on Andrew Toppan's Haze Gray and UnderwayHaze gray and underwayHaze gray and underway is a United States Navy saying that refers to surface ships in arduous duty at sea, in contrast to submarines or naval units in ceremonial roles or in port...
web site