JDS Chikugo (DE-215) was the lead ship of Chikugo-class destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

JS Chikugo
History
Japan
Name
  • Chikugo
  • (ちくご)
NamesakeChikugo
Ordered1967
BuilderMitsui, Tamano
Laid down9 December 1968
Launched13 January 1970
Commissioned31 July 1971
Decommissioned15 April 1996
Stricken1999
HomeportSasebo
IdentificationPennant number: DE-215
FateScrapped
General characteristics
Class and typeChikugo-class destroyer escort
Displacement1,700–1,800 long tons (1,727–1,829 t) full load
Length93.0 m (305.1 ft)
Beam10.8 m (35 ft)
Draught3.5 m (11 ft)
Depth7.0 metres (23.0 ft)
Propulsion
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range5,500 nmi (10,200 km) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement165
Sensors and
processing systems
  • TDS-1 Target Designation System
  • OPS-14 2D air search radar
  • OPS-17 surface search radar
  • FCS-1B gun FCS
  • OQS-3A bow sonar
  • SQS-35(J) VDS
  • SFCS-4 Underwater Battery FCS
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • NOLR-1B ESM
  • NOLR-5 ESM
Armament

Development and design

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The Chikugo class was designed as a modified variant of the Isuzu class, the preceding destroyer escort class. The main anti-submarine weapon was changed from the M/50 375 mm (14.8 in) ASW rocket launcher to the ASROC Anti-submarine missile. The octuple launcher for ASROC was stationed at the mid-deck, and the entire ship design was prescribed by this stationing.[1]

Construction and career

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Chikugo was laid down on 9 December 1968 at Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, Tamano, and launched on 13 January 1970. She commissioned on 31 July 1971.

On 26 August 1971, the 34th Escort Corps was newly commissioned under the Sasebo District Force, and was incorporated with JDS Mikuma commissioned on the same day.

Removed from the register on 15 April 1995. Since commissioning, she consistently belonged to the Sasebo District Force for about 26 years, and had a total range of 503,405 nautical miles.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Abe, Yasuo (May 2003). "Looking back on Chikugo class escort vessels". Ships of the World (in Japanese) (610). Kaijinn-sha: 92–97.
  2. ^ SHIPS OF THE WORLD, Special Edition 66th Maritime Self-Defense Force All Ship History. Gaijinsha. 2004.
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