Wikipedia

JS Kumano

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese ship Kumano.

JS Kumano (FFM-2) is the second ship of the Mogami-class frigates 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]

JS Kumano in 2024
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

Development and design

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Main article: Mogami-class frigate

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 metres (426 ft 6 in), breadth of 16 metres (52 ft 6 in), a standard displacement of 3,900 tons with a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, and a maximum speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).[5] Weapons include a Mk 45 gun, two remote weapon stations above the bridge, 16 Mk 41 VLS at the bow, eight 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

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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 on 24 August 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]

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  •  
    JS Kumano at Mitsui shipyard, Tamano on 19 November 2020.
  •  
    JS Kumano at Mitsui shipyard, Tamano on 19 November 2020.
  •  
    JS Kumano at Mitsui shipyard, Tamano on 19 November 2020.
  •  
    JS Kumano at Mitsui shipyard, Tamano on 19 November 2020
  •  
    JS Kumano at Langkawi for LIMA 2023

References

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  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. ^ "平成３０年度計画護衛艦の命名式・進水式について" [Naming and launching ceremony for FY2018 destroyer] (PDF). mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  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/ [user-generated source]
  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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