JDS Sawakaze

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese destroyer Sawakaze.

JDS Sawakaze (DDG-170) in Yokosuka on 1 January 2009.
History
Japan
Name	JDS Sawakaze (さわかぜ)
Builder	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki
Laid down	14 September 1979
Launched	4 June 1981
Commissioned	30 March 1983
Decommissioned	25 June 2010
Homeport	Sasebo (1976-1995) Yokosuka (1995-2008)
Identification	Pennant number: DDG-170
Status	Decommissioned
General characteristics
Type	Tachikaze-class destroyer
Displacement	3,850 long tons (3,910 t) standard 3,950 long tons (4,010 t) (DDG170)
Length	143 m (469 ft 2 in)
Beam	14.3 m (46 ft 11 in)
Draft	4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) (DDG170)
Propulsion	2 × Mitsubishi steam turbines, 60,000 hp (45,000 kW) 2 shafts
Speed	32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h)
Complement	250; 230 (DDG168); 255 (DDG170)
Armament	2 × 5"/54 caliber Mark 42 gun (DDG168 ×1) 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 1 × Mk 13 missile launcher (for the Standard-MR SAM) 8 × Boeing Harpoon SSM 1 × Type 74 launcher for the ASROC 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes

JDS Sawakaze (DDG-170) is the third ship of the Tachikaze-class destroyer built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Development

Tachikaze-class destroyers were designed almost exclusively as anti-aircraft platforms. No helicopter facilities are provided, and the ASW armament is confined to ASROC missiles and Mk 46 torpedoes. In order to save on construction costs the class adopted the propulsion plant and machinery of the Haruna-class destroyers.

Construction and career

She was laid down on the 14 September, 1979 in Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki. She was launched on 4 June 1981, and commissioned on 30 March 1983. She was decommissioned on 25 June 2010.