Hatakaze-class destroyer

Hatakaze (DDG-171) docked in Pearl Harbor, 1988
Class overview
Name	Hatakaze class destroyer
Builders	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by	Tachikaze-class destroyer
Succeeded by	Kongō-class destroyer
Cost	(Hatakaze) 61,980,000,000 JPY (Shimakaze) 69,283,000,000 JPY
Built	1983–1988
In commission	1986–
Completed	2
Active	2
General characteristics
Type	Guided missile destroyer
Displacement	(Hatakaze) 4,600 long tons (4,674 t) standard (Shimakaze) 4,650 long tons (4,725 t) standard
Length	150 m (492 ft 2 in)
Beam	16.4 m (53 ft 10 in)
Draft	4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Propulsion	2 × Kawasaki Rolls-Royce Spey SM1A gas turbines for cruising 2 × Rolls-Royce Olympus gas turbines for high speed only 72,000 hp (54,000 kW) 2 shafts
Speed	30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Complement	260
Armament	• RGM-84 Harpoon SSM • Standard missile MR SAM • ASROC anti-submarine rocket • 2 × 5"/54 caliber Mark 42 guns • 2 × 20 mm CIWS • 2 × Type 68 triple torpedo tubes

The Hatakaze class of guided missile destroyer is a third generation vessel in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). They were the first of the JMSDF's ships to have gas-turbine propulsion.

The core weapon suite is similar to that of the Tachikaze-class destroyer, but various improvements were made in many areas. Most notable are those that allow the Hatakaze class to function as a group flagship. Normally this duty resides with the DDH class, but in case of a DDH being absent due to repairs, accident, or battle damage, the Hatakaze design allows for it to function as a command ship.

Hatakaze destroyers operate the OYQ-4-1 type tactical control system. Its weapon systems include the Standard missile surface-to-air missile, anti-submarine rockets, the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, two Mark 15 20 mm CIWS gun mounts, two torpedo mounts in a triple tube configuration and two 5 inch/54 caliber Mark 42 rapid-fire guns.

Namesakes

Hatakaze was also the name of a pre–World War II destroyer of the Kamikaze class. Commissioned on 1 August 1924, Hatakaze was finally sunk by aerial attack on 15 January 1945.

The name Shimakaze was also shared by an Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer of 3048 tons, built at Maizuru Shipywards in Japan. She was completed in May 1943, being extremely large and fast, with a very heavy torpedo armament. Shimakaze was sunk by U.S. Navy carrier-based aircraft in the Philippines area on 11 November 1944, along with three other destroyers in the Ormoc Bay area, while escorting troop transports to the vicinity.

Ships in the class

Building no.	Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Home port
2311	DDG-171	Hatakaze	20 May 1983	9 November 1984	27 March 1986	Yokosuka
2312	DDG-172	Shimakaze	13 January 1985	30 January 1987	23 March 1988	Maizuru

External links

• GlobalSecurity.org; JMSDF DDG Hatakaze Class