Shirane-Class Helicopter Destroyers
First 3-Helicopter Destroyers - Shirane-class were JMSDF's first destroyers with 3-helicopter capacity. 2 ships commissioned 1980-1981. 6,800 tons (largest Japanese destroyers when built). Extended aft flight deck, large hangar (3× SH-60J Seahawks). ASW command ships (coordinate multi-ship ASW operations). 32 knots (steam turbines, 70,000 shp). Balanced armament: 2× 5-inch guns, Mk 29 Sea Sparrow, 8× Harpoon, ASROC, torpedoes. OQS-101 bow sonar, OQR-1 towed array. Cold War ASW mission (Soviet submarine threat). Both served 35-37 years (exceptional longevity). DDH-143 Shirane retired March 2015 (35 years), DDH-144 Kurama retired March 2017 (37 years - longest-serving JMSDF destroyer!). Replaced by Hyuga/Izumo-class (larger, 4 helicopters, more advanced). Shirane-class: Bridge between Haruna and modern helicopter destroyers, pioneered multi-helicopter operations.
Specifications
- Displacement (std)
- 5200 t
- Displacement (full)
- 6800 t
- Length
- 521.7 ft
- Beam
- 57.4 ft
- Crew
- 350
- Ships built
- 2
- Commissioned
- 1980-1981
- Decommissioned
- 2015-2017 (both retired)
Performance
- Top speed
- 31 kn
- Range
- 7000 nm at 20 knots
Armament
- Main guns
- 2× 127mm (5-inch) Mk 42 - single mounts
Armor & Systems
- Belt
- None
In-Game
- Tier
- T7
- Game power
- 256.16
- Research cost
- 276,140
- Credit cost
- 179,312
Notable
- First JMSDF ships with 3-helicopter capacity (1980-1981)
- Large helicopter destroyers (6,800 tons - biggest destroyers when built)
- Extended aft flight deck (helicopter operations emphasized)
- Large hangar (3 SH-60J Seahawks)
- ASW command ships (coordinate ASW operations)
- Steam turbine propulsion (70,000 shp, 32 knots - fast!)
- OQS-101 sonar (advanced bow sonar)
- Both served 35-37 years (exceptional longevity)
- DDH-143 Shirane retired March 2015 (35 years)
- DDH-144 Kurama retired March 2017 (37 years!)
- Replaced by Izumo/Hyuga-class helicopter destroyers (larger, 4 helicopters)