JS Kumano

JS Kumano (FFM-2) is the second ship of the 30DX 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]

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese ship Kumano.
JS Kumano at Mitsui shipyard, Tamano on 19 November 2020
History
Japan
Name:
  • Kumano
  • (くまの)
Namesake: Kumano
Ordered: 2018
Builder: Mitsui, Tamano
Laid down: 30 October 2019
Launched: 19 November 2020
Commissioned: Expected, March 2022
Identification: Pennant number: FFM-2
Status: Fitting out
General characteristics
Class and type: 30DX frigate
Displacement:
  • 3,900 tons standard
  • 5,500 tons full load
Length: 130.0 m (426 ft 6 in)
Beam: 16.0 m (52 ft 6 in)
Propulsion:
Speed: 30+ knots
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 x RHIB, UUV, USV
Crew: 90
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 carried: 1 × SH-60L helicopter

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.[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-60Lhelicopter, torpedoes, and decoy launchers. It can also deploy and recover UUV, USV, 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]

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). Retrieved 19 November 2020.
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