History
Japan
Name
  • Kumano
  • (くまの)
NamesakeKumano
Ordered2018
BuilderMitsui, Tamano
Laid down30 October 2019
Launched19 November 2020
Commissioned22 March 2022
IdentificationPennant number: FFM-2
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeMogami-class frigate
Displacement
  • 3,900 tons standard
  • 5,500 tons full load
Length130 m (426 ft 6 in)
Beam16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Propulsion
Speedover 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × RHIB, UUV, USV
Crew90
Sensors and
processing systems
  • OPY-2 (X-band multi-purpose AESA radar)
  • OAX-3(EO/IR)
  • OQQ-25 (VDS + TASS)
  • OQQ-11 (Mine-hunting sonar)
  • OYQ-1 (Combat management system)
  • OYX-1-29 (Console display system)
Electronic warfare
& decoys		NOLQ-3E (Passive radar system + Electronic attack capability is integrated into the main radar antenna), Chaff dispenser
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × SH-60L helicopter
Aviation facilitiesSingle hangar

JS Kumano (FFM-2) is the second ship of the Mogami-class frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). She was named after Kumano River and shares her name with a World War II heavy cruiser Kumano and Cold War destroyer escort Kumano.[1]

Development and design

In 2015, the Japanese defense budget allocated funds to study the construction of a new “compact-type hull destroyer with additional multi-functional capabilities” as well as a new radar system for the destroyer.[2] In the same year Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) unveiled the frigate's first concept model (30FF) which they have been developing with their own funds.[3][4]

The 30DX design has an overall length of 130 m, breadth of 16 m, a standard displacement of 3900 tons with a full load displacement of about 5500 tons, and a maximum speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h).[5] Weapons include a Mk 45 gun, two remote weapon station above the bridge, 16 Mk 41 VLS at the bow, 8 anti-ship missiles, one SeaRAM, an SH-60L helicopter, torpedoes and decoy launchers. It can also deploy and recover unmanned underwater vessels, unmanned surface vessels and sea mines from the rear ramp beneath the helideck.[6] It is also expected to use a naval version of the Type 03 Chū-SAM.[7]

Construction and career

Kumano was laid down on 30 October 2019 at Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, Tamano and launched on 19 November 2020. She will be expected to be commissioned in March 2022.[8][9]

While fitting out, her enclosed antenna was installed on 16 February 2021.[10]

She began sea trials August 24, 2021[11] with likely missions of island defense, homeland patrol, and international tours.[12][13]

Kumano was commissioned on 22 March 2022 and deployed to Yokosuka Naval Base.[14]

When JS Kumano was completed, it was not equipped with VLS, but the budget for VLS will be appropriated later and VLS will be installed.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Defense Programs and Budget of Japan Overview of FY2015 Budget" (PDF). Japan Ministry of Defense. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  3. ↑ "Japan's ATLA Selected MHI & Mitsui to build 30DX Surface Combatant for JMSDF". Navy Recognition. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Unveiled 30FF or DEX Next Generation Vessel Concept for the JMSDF". Navy Recognition. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  5. ↑ DefenseWebTV (12 April 2018). "Sea-Air-Space 2018 Day 3 - JMSDF 30DX - Zodiac H-1300 - MARTAC Mantas - HII LX(R) - Airbus VSR700". YouTube. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "SAS 2018: Japan's MHI Showcasing 30DX Multi-Mission Frigate Design". Navy Recognition. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  7. ↑ Takahashi, Kosuke (2 November 2018). "MHI to build two new multirole frigates for JMSDF". Jane's 360. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  8. ↑ https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202011/20201110-3.pdf
  9. ↑ "海自の最新鋭護衛艦「くまの」進水 日の丸護衛艦の革命児！ 多用途性と省力化を追求". 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  10. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1611065292284356/permalink/3915748871815975/
  11. ↑ Xavier Vavasseur. (25 August 2021). "Japan’s New 30FFM Frigate For JMSDF ‘Kumano’ 「くまの」Starts Sea Trials". NavalNews website Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  12. ↑ Xavier Vavasseur and Yoshihiro Inaba. (21 September 2020). "30FFM: Japan’s Next Generation Frigate Taking Shape At Two Shipyards". NavalNews website Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  13. ↑ Xavier Vavasseur. (11 October 2021). "Japan’s First FFM Frigate For JMSDF ‘Mogami ’ 「もがみ」Started Sea Trials". NavalNews website Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  14. ↑ 新型護衛艦、FFM「くまの」就役 横須賀基地に配備へ (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. 22 March 2022. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022.
  15. ↑ 海上自衛隊の最新鋭もがみ型護衛艦「くまの」が就役――半世紀ぶりの「フリゲート」配備 (in Japanese). Yahoo News Japan. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022.
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