Destroyer
Atago-class destroyer
The Atago class is a Japanese Aegis guided-missile destroyer built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Marine United, in service since 2007. Two ships serve with the JMSDF, enlarged from the US Arleigh Burke Flight IIA and fitted for ballistic missile defence.
Japan|Mitsubishi Heavy Industries & Japan Marine UnitedWhat Is the Atago-class destroyer? Overview, History and Development
Atago (DDG-177) was commissioned in March 2007 and Ashigara (DDG-178) in March 2008. Displacement is about 7,700 t standard and 10,000 t full load, length 165 m, beam 21 m, speed 30 knots and crew about 300. Unlike the basic Arleigh Burke Flight I, they carry a hangar for an SH-60K helicopter. The class uses the AN/SPY-1D(V) radar and Aegis Baseline J7, and both ships have been upgraded for SM-3 ballistic missile defence.
Armament includes 96 Mk 41 VLS cells (64 forward, 32 aft) for SM-2, SM-3 and ASROC, eight Type 90 (SSM-1B) anti-ship missiles, a 127 mm Mk 45 gun and two Phalanx CIWS. The successor Maya class (Maya in 2020, Haguro in 2021) is an enlarged variant of about 8,200 t with CEC and SM-6. Japan has eight Aegis destroyers in total and two ASEV ships planned. Cost was about US$1.4 billion per ship. Rivals include Sejong the Great and Arleigh Burke.
Atago-class destroyer Specifications: Displacement, Speed, Armament and Crew
Atago-class destroyer Variants and Versions Compared
Atago (DDG-177) is the lead ship, built at Nagasaki and commissioned in March 2007.
Ashigara (DDG-178) is the second ship, built at Yokohama and commissioned in March 2008.
Maya class is the enlarged follow-on, with Maya commissioned in 2020 and Haguro in 2021.
Which Countries Use the Atago-class destroyer? Operators and Users
JapanAtago-class destroyer FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many Aegis destroyers does Japan have?
Japan has eight Aegis destroyers: four Kongo class, two Atago class and two Maya class. Two more Aegis System Equipped Vessels of about 12,000 t are planned.
How many missiles can the Atago-class carry?
The Atago class carries 96 Mk 41 VLS cells, 64 forward and 32 aft. They hold SM-2, SM-3 and ASROC missiles, and the ships also carry eight Type 90 (SSM-1B) anti-ship missiles.
How much does an Atago-class destroyer cost?
An Atago-class destroyer costs about US$1.4 billion per ship, according to a figure from the Japanese defence budget. The number is hedged and varies with currency and source.
Can the Atago-class shoot down ballistic missiles?
Yes, the Atago-class can intercept ballistic missiles. Both Atago and Ashigara have been upgraded to carry SM-3 Block IA and IB missiles, with Ashigara upgraded later.
Atago-class vs Arleigh Burke: what is the difference?
The Atago class is larger than the Arleigh Burke Flight IIA, at about 10,000 t full load, with a hangar for an SH-60K helicopter. Both use the AN/SPY-1D(V) radar, but the Atago has a Japanese weapons fit.
Atago-class vs Sejong the Great: which is better?
The Sejong the Great class has more VLS cells, 128 against 96, while the Atago class has proven SM-3 ballistic missile defence. Both are about 10,000 t, and no combat comparison exists.