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JS Kongo (DDG-173)

1993 MODERN NAVY

History

Japan's geographic location dictates that it should have a strong naval presence in the Asia-Pacific region of the world. North Korea has always actively displayed new products, while China's claims to the South China Sea have become bolder.

As a result, the Japanese military spends a large portion of its defense budget on the navy, and from this investment sees a steady stream of powerful warships equipped with modern and advanced weapons to control territorial claims and deter potential 's enemy.

The Kongo-class guided missile destroyer led by JDS Kongo (DDG-173) was ordered in the 1980s and built in the 1990s. Kongo's sisters became JDS Kirishima, Taeko and Chokai.

The warships were in service from 1993 to 1998, and the line succeeded the Flagship-class guided-missile destroyers, two of which appeared in the 1980s. The Kongo-class is comparable to the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class ships, albeit larger in size.

JDS Kongo ordered in 1988, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and laid on 8 May 1990. She was launched on September 26, 1991, and officially commissioned on March 25, 1993. Named for Mount Congo near Gosse, this was the third ship in the Japanese Navy to bear that name.

Today, it forms a vital part of Japan's defense network -- even more so at a time when tensions with China in the South China Sea are high and North Korea is always keen to draw the world's attention.

Upon completion, the JDS Kongo will displace 7,500 tons under standard load and 9,500 tons under full load. She features a length of 582 feet, a beam of 69 feet and a draft of 20 feet, enabling her to operate in deep sea and offshore environments.

Installed power includes 4 Ishikawajima Harima (General Electric) LM2500-30 gas turbines producing 100,000 hp on 2 shafts. This allows the vessel to travel close to 30 knots in ideal conditions, with a range of up to 5,200 miles in a range of around 20 knots.

Her crew consisted of 300 officers and men.

JDS Kongo is classified as a "missile destroyer", which means she has an advanced missile weapon battery and sensor/processing system on board. Her armament is also versatile, as the warship can scan, track and strike threats in the air, surface, inland and underwater as needed - that's her design flexibility.

She also carries conventional weapons for close quarters work.

The warship's armament is guided by a 90-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) consisting of a 29-cell forward and a 61-cell rear. These are approved to launch SM-2MR (RIM-66 standard), SM-3 and RUM-139 series missiles. The SM-2MR is an anti-aircraft weapon, while the SM-3 is an anti-ballistic missile weapon.

RUM-139 bears the acronym "ASROC" and is detailed as "anti-submarine rocket". Kongo is also equipped with a pair of RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile (ASM) launchers near the midship. In addition to this missile weapon is the more conventional 5" (127mm)/54 caliber OTO Breda deck gun with turret (above the first floor) and 2 x 20mm Phalanx Digital Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) ).

Sensor and processing systems include RCA AN/SPY-1D 3D systems, JRC OPS-28D surface search radar, NEC OQS-102 (SQS-53B/C) series bow sonar units and Melco NOLQ-2 interceptor/jammers device system. The passive towed sonar array is the Oki OQR-2 TACTASS. JRC OPS-20 is used for navigation.

Her profile features a front axle structure (board side for stealth) and a lattice main mast towering over the ship. The smoke funnels are distributed between two flat, fully enclosed structures near the midship. The aft chimney is integrated into the aft superstructure. The stern section has a helipad to support take-off and recovery of helicopters - usually the American Sikorsky SH-60K series.

The aircraft also provides the ship with a "super-horizon" view and has its own anti-ship/anti-submarine capabilities.

One of the most notable features of the JDS Kongo is that she is the first warship outside the United States to be equipped with the advanced Aegis ballistic missile defense system, which provides protection against incoming missile threats. The system works with ship-based interceptor missiles and the AN/SPY-1 radar.

Both the SM-2 and SM-3 missile families were designed to use the AEGIS system to varying degrees, and an initial (successful) test of the device took place in December 2007.

On August 3, 2016, regional neighbor North Korea tested a new missile weapon that landed within 600 miles of Japan, catching Japanese authorities somewhat by surprise. As the Japanese Navy can only deploy three Aegis-equipped destroyers at any one time, this makes Kongo a very special and vital warship in today's challenging environment.

At least three of these classes are needed to provide maximum protection for the Japanese mainland from a full-scale North Korean missile attack.