New branch of Japanese destroyers. Destroyers and torpedo boats. Who does not speak, who speaks does not

Fubuki-class destroyers on maneuvers, 1941

The Japanese destroyer branch was one of the first to appear in World of Warships. In the next big series of articles, we will look at their real prototypes.

Japanese sailors appreciated the capabilities of torpedo weapons in time at the end of the 19th century. Suffice it to recall the successful destroyer attack on Russian ships in Port Arthur and the destroyer attacks on the night of the Tsushima battle in the Russo-Japanese War. Having made the right conclusions, the Japanese began to systematically develop and improve their destroyer forces of the fleet.

We will not dwell on the destroyers and destroyers of the beginning of the century and the period of the Russo-Japanese War, and will go straight to the ships built after the RYA and during the First World War. Let us only note that many destroyers bore the names of their predecessors and in history there are "eponymous" ships of different types of destroyers of the RYA period, the First and Second World Wars.

Umikaze type.

In 1909, Japan laid the foundation for "modern" turbine destroyers - two ships of the Umikaze class. Their standard displacement immediately increased three times compared to the fighters of the Russo-Japanese War period - up to 1100 tons, the speed increased to 33 knots. The ships received two 120-mm guns and five 76-mm guns and three or four torpedo tubes (located in the "triangle" on the Yamakaze).

Displacement normal 1150 tons, full 1500 tons.

Length 98.3 m (97.6 m w / l). Width 8.6 m. Draft 2.78 m.

Mechanisms: 8 Kampon boilers, 3 Parsons PTUs.

Power and speed: 20,500 hp, 33 knots.

Fuel stock 250 tons of coal + 180 tons of oil.

Artillery: two 120mm, five 76mm guns.

Torpedoes: Umikaze - four 457 mm (2 × 2), Yamakaze - three 457 mm (3 × 1).

The crew is 140 people.

Umikaze. State shipyard Maizuru. Laid down in 1909, commissioned in 1911, excluded in 1936

Yamakaze. Mitsubishi Shipyard, Nagasaki. 1909 - 1911 - 1936

The first Japanese class 1 destroyers, ordered under the 1907 program, were built at Japanese shipyards, but the project was developed with the technical assistance of British specialists.

Unlike other countries, the Japanese did not introduce an intermediate 102-mm artillery caliber, but installed 120-mm guns, which no destroyer in the world had then. The guns themselves, however, remained Armstrong models of 1890 with a barrel length of 40 calibers, so the choice of the Japanese could hardly be called successful - the guns were heavy and did not have the proper rate of fire. One gun stood on the forecastle, the second was not very convenient - between the stern torpedo tube and the bridge, and had a limited firing sector.

The destroyers retained mixed artillery, five other guns were proven 76-mm 40-caliber - the same that stood on all previously built destroyers.

The torpedo armament has been strengthened. Yamakadze carried three single, Umikaze two twin 18-inch vehicles.

A significant step forward was the power plant, in which steam turbines of the Parsons system, manufactured in England, were used for the first time in the Japanese navy. The eight Kampon boilers had mixed coal-oil heating and were housed two each in four boiler rooms. Having developed more than 33 knots during tests (Yamakadze - 33.5 knots), the ships became the fastest destroyers of the Japanese fleet.

At the beginning of the 20s, the height of the first chimney was increased on ships, and the main caliber guns received shields.

By the beginning of the First World War, these were the most seaworthy destroyers of the Imperial Navy. They did not participate in military clashes.

In 1930 they were converted into minesweepers, but in their new capacity they turned out to be ineffective. In addition, the deterioration of the mechanisms made itself felt. As the fleet was replenished with minesweepers of special construction, the old destroyers were withdrawn from its composition. In 1936, both ships of this type were excluded and scrapped.

Sakura type.

The Umikaze type was considered not very successful in the navy. It was followed in 1911 by two smaller turbine destroyers of the 2nd class Sakura and Tachibana (Tachibana) (530 tons) at a speed of 30 knots, one 120-mm and four 76-mm guns, but already with two twin-tube torpedo tubes. In 1913, in England (according to the Yarrow project), their enlarged versions were ordered - the destroyers of the 1st class Urakadze and Kavakadze, with 810 tons having the same speed and the same artillery, but equipped with 533-mm TA.

Displacement normal 605 tons, full 830 tons.

Length 83.3 m (82.02 m in / l). Width 7.3 m. Draft 2.2 m.

Mechanisms: 5 Kampon boilers, 3 compound steam machines.

Power and speed: 9,500 hp, 30 knots.

Fuel stock 228 tons of coal + 30 tons of oil. Cruising range 2400 miles (15 knots).

Torpedoes: four 457 mm (2 × 2).

The crew is 92 people.

Sakura. State shipyard Maizuru. Laid down in 1911, commissioned in 1912, excluded in 1931

Tachibana. State shipyard Maizuru. 1911 - 1912 - 1931

First Japanese class 2 destroyers. Built according to the 1910 program. As in the case of the previous type, the command of the fleet ordered only two ships, which were to become prototypes for subsequent series. They became the first destroyers of a purely Japanese design.

The destroyers received a high forecastle, which significantly improved seaworthiness. The machine-boiler plant, as before, was located linearly, the boilers had mixed coal-oil heating. The chimneys of the bow boilers were led out in pairs into two chimneys, the aft one had its own.

The Japanese industry was not yet able to provide the destroyers with turbines, so it was necessary to use four-cylinder "compound" steam engines, which had a higher power density in comparison with triple expansion machines. Despite this, "on paper" Japanese destroyers were somewhat faster than their contemporaries, although in practice much depended on the skills and endurance of the stokers.

While the British armed their destroyers with more powerful 21-inch (533-mm) torpedoes, the Japanese retained the 457-mm caliber, but doubled the number of torpedoes in a salvo through the use of twin tubes. Their placement also differed from the British model, one device was moved to the nose and located behind the forecastle slice (the influence of the German destroyer school).

The artillery retained its variability, the bow 120-mm gun with a barrel length of 40 calibers was supplemented by four 76-mm 40-caliber guns.

In the early 1920s, they increased the height of the first chimney, installed a rangefinder on the nose bridge and an anti-splinter shield on the main battery gun.

Together with two ships of the previous type, Sakura and Tachibana became the most modern Japanese destroyers of this period. In 1931 they were excluded from the fleet and in 1933, after a short use for auxiliary needs, they were scrapped.

IJN Tachibana (WoWS drawing)

From that moment on, the division of Japanese destroyers into two classes began. In the image of Sakura, in 1914-1917, 22 destroyers of the 2nd class of the Kaba type were built (including 12 for the French fleet, type Algerien) and four destroyers of the Momo type, the latter had three 120-mm guns and, for the first time in the Japanese fleet, three-pipe torpedo tubes (six 457 mm tubes). In 1918, this line was continued by six practically the same destroyers of the Enoki class.

Urakaze type.

Displacement normal 907 tons, full 1085 tons Length 87.02 m (86.4 m in / l).

Width 8.45 m. Draft 2.3 m.

Mechanisms: 3 Yarrow boilers, 2 Brown-Curtis turbo-gear units (TZA).

Power and speed: 22,000 hp, 28 knots.

The fuel supply is 248 tons of oil.

Artillery: one 120mm, four 76mm guns.

Torpedoes: four 533 mm (2 × 2).

The crew is 120 people.

Urakaze. Yarrow, Scotstown (England). Laid down in 1913, entered service in 1915, expelled in 1936

Kawakaze. Yarrow, Scotstown. 1914 - 1916 - transferred to Italy in 1916

Destroyers of the 1st class. Ordered to Yarrow under the 1912 program, thus becoming the last Japanese destroyers built overseas (not counting trophies). In general, the project was characterized as very successful, in addition, it contained a large number of innovations in terms of energy and weapons.

Urakadze became the first Japanese destroyer with purely oil-fired boilers. The power plant for the first time, as an experiment, was presented by Brown-Curtis turbines with a gear drive. The project envisaged diesel engines as engines for the cruising course, which, however, were never installed. The destroyers turned out to be quite good walkers - during trials Urakadze developed 30.26 knots, and Kavakadze - 34.5 knots (doubtful).

In terms of artillery armament, the ships were somewhat inferior to their predecessors of the Umikaze type. On the other hand, the new main-caliber guns (British 120 mm with a barrel length of 45 calibers) were superior to the old Armstrong 40-caliber guns in projectile weight, firing range and rate of fire.

The standard 76-mm cannons were positioned as follows - two on the side in the chimney area, the third on an elevated platform behind the second chimney, and the fourth on the poop.

But the torpedo armament was strengthened, since the British installed twin 21-inch torpedo tubes, the same as on their M-class destroyers.

Although Urakadze was completed in October 1915, the British government did not allow it to be handed over to the customer until the end of the First World War. Only in 1919 did the destroyer arrive in Japan. Until the mid-30s, it was part of the United Fleet. In 1936 he was expelled from the fleet and was used as block ship No. 18 (Haykan No. 18). Sunk on 18 July 1945 in Yokosuka by aircraft from aircraft carriers. The hull was finally dismantled in 1948.

The second destroyer of the series was destined for a longer and more interesting life. Even before the end of construction, on July 3, 1916, it was transferred to the Royal Italian Navy, renaming it Itrepido. However, on September 25, the ship was renamed Audache. The artillery armament was converted to the Italian standard and consisted of seven 102-mm lightweight guns (barrel length 35 calibers), and the torpedo remained unchanged.

During WWI, he acted against the Austro-Hungarian fleet on the Adriatic. In 1929 she was reclassified as a destroyer. In 1938 it was equipped as a control ship for the radio-controlled target ship San Marco.

By the time the country entered the Second World War, Audache was practically in a state of incapacity and rarely went out to sea. After Italy's surrender, the destroyer in Venice was captured by the Germans and renamed TA-20. The Germans rearmed the ship, installing two 102mm 45-caliber guns and ten paired 20mm machine guns. He acted as part of the 2nd escort flotilla on the Adriatic Sea. Killed on November 1, 1944 in a battle with British destroyer escorts off the island of Pag.

Kaba type.

Displacement normal 665 tons, full 850 tons.

Length 83.3 m (82.02 w / l). Width 7.3 m. Draft 2.3 m.

Mechanisms: 4 Kampon boilers, 3 compound steam machines.

Power and speed: 9500 hp, 30 knots

Fuel stock 100 tons of coal + 137 tons of oil. Cruising range 1600 miles (15 knots).

Artillery: one 120mm, four 76mm guns.

Torpedoes: four 457 mm (2 × 2).

The crew is 92 people.

Kaba, Kaede, Kashiwa, Katsura, Kiri, Kusunoki, Matsu, Sakaki, Sugi, Ume.

All ships of the series were laid down in 1914-1915, entered service in 1915, excluded in 1931. Built at state shipyards in Yokosuka, Maizuru, Kure, Sasebo and Mitsubishi private shipyards in Nagasaki and Yokohama, Uraga in Tokyo and Kawasaki in Kobe

IJN Sakaki, 1915

Destroyers of the 2nd class, ordered under the military budget of 1914. Almost an exact copy of the Sakura type, only due to the use of improved boilers it was possible to get by with a smaller number of them. In this regard, the bow boiler was removed, and the chimney became thinner and higher. The ratio of oil and coal in the fuel supply has changed. The disadvantage was also considered the limited firing sector of the stern torpedo tube - less than 55 degrees on each side.

In 1917, Japan built 12 more destroyers of this type for the French fleet (type Algerien or Tuareg). These were the only large Japanese-built ships in the fleet of a European country. Apparently, the French were seduced by the cheapness and speed of manufacture, since these destroyers did not have other advantages.

Like the Sakura-class ships, they underwent a similar upgrade.

The service of ships of this type was the most intense and interesting among the destroyers built during the First World War. In March 1917, at the request of the European allies, the Japanese transferred a flotilla of 8 Kaba-class destroyers to the Mediterranean. There they were based in Malta and acted against the Austro-Hungarian light forces on the Adriatic, escorted convoys and conducted anti-submarine patrols. The most serious incident occurred on June 11, 1917, when the Austro-Hungarian submarine U-27 torpedoed Sakaki northeast of about. Kythera. The destroyer was heavily damaged, but was repaired.

After the war, the ships returned to their native waters, and intense maneuvers began. On September 1, 1923, another disaster struck. Matsu and Kashiwa jumped out onto the rocks, again - repair and return to duty. At the beginning of 1931, the 7th division (Sugi, Matsu, Kashiwa, Sakaki) was included in the Chinese squadron. It was a swan song of this type; destroyers with archaic steam engines had no place in the modern navy. In November 1931, all ten ships were excluded and scrapped.

Momo type.

Displacement normal 835 tons, full 1080 tons.

Length 83.3 m (82 m in / l). Width 7.3 m. Draft 2.3 m.

Power and speed: 16,000 hp, 31.5 knots.

Fuel stock 92 tons of coal + 212 tons of oil. Cruising range 2400 miles (15 knots).

Torpedoes: six 457 mm (2 × 3).

The crew is 110 people.

Hinoki. State Sasebo shipyard. Laid down in 1916, entered service in 1917, expelled in 1940

Kashi. State Maizuru shipyard 1916 - 1917 - 10.10.1944

Momo. State Sasebo shipyard. 1916 - 1916 - 1940

Yanagi. State shipyard Maizuru. 1916 - 1917 - scrapped in 1947

Destroyers of the 2nd class. Ordered under the 1915 program. (Not to be confused with the subsequent Momi type!) For the first time in the Japanese navy, three-tube torpedo tubes were installed on them. The artillery was transferred to a single 120-mm caliber.

Redevelopment of boiler rooms allowed us to limit ourselves to only two chimneys. Although boilers have retained mixed heating, the Japanese have finally gotten rid of steam engines. From now on, all their destroyers were equipped with turbines of their own production (still licensed).

Another feature of Momo, as well as of several subsequent series, was the rounded ("spoon-shaped") shape of the bow, which is also characteristic of Tanikaze-class destroyers and Tenryu-class light cruisers.

Yanagi was disarmed in 1940 and turned into a non-self-propelled training base.

Former Kasi, returned from service with the Manzhou Guo Navy, has been converted into an escort ship. There is no exact data on its rearmament, apparently, it carried one or two 120-mm guns, several anti-aircraft guns and depth charges. According to some unconfirmed reports, by that time, direct-acting turbines had been replaced by turbo-gear units. In any case, the power of the power plant was 7000 hp, and the speed was only 15 knots.

Entering service at the end of World War I, the Momo-class destroyers did not have time to take part in any noteworthy operations of that period.

In the 20s - 30s, the destroyers were in Chinese waters. In 1937, Kasi was transferred to the naval forces of the puppet state of Manchukuo called Hai Wei, where he became the largest combat unit. The rest were withdrawn from the fleet in 1940 and, with the exception of Yanagi, which became a training base, were scrapped.

The heavy losses suffered by the Japanese fleet by the end of 1943 and the beginning of 1944 forced the Japanese to retake the "Chinese" destroyer. An interesting question is with its new name. According to numerous sources, it was renamed Kali, which is doubtful because the letter vy "l" is not in Japanese. For other Cap. Apparently, another version of the name should be recognized as plausible - Kayi. The ship was used for support and escort services. Sunk on 10 October 1944 off Okinawa by TF 38 carrier-based aircraft.

Enoki type.

Displacement normal 850 tons, full 1100 tons.

Length 85.63 m (83.6 m in / l). Width 7.7 m. Draft 2.3 m.

Mechanisms: 4 boilers Kampon, 2 PTU Curtis.

Power and speed: 17,500 hp, 31.5 knots.

Fuel stock 98 tons of coal + 212 tons of oil. Cruising range 2400 miles (15 knots).

Artillery: three 120 mm, two 7.7 mm machine guns.

Torpedoes: six 457 mm (2 × 3).

The crew is 110 people.

Enoki. State shipyard Maizuru. Laid down in 1917, entered service in 1918, expelled in 1938

Keyaki. State Sasebo shipyard. 1917 - 1918 - 1932

Kuwa. State Kure shipyard. 1917 - 1918 - 1932

Maid. State Sasebo shipyard. 1917 - 1918 - 1932

Nora. State Yokosuka shipyard. 1917 - 1918 - 1938

Tsubaki. State Kure shipyard. 1917 - 1918 - 1932

Destroyers of the 2nd class. The Momo type was repeated in all respects, with the exception of a more powerful power plant (and, as a result, an increased speed), as well as a slightly increased fuel reserve. The last Japanese destroyers carrying the old Armstrong 120mm cannons.

The service history of these destroyers is perhaps the least interesting. They did not have time to take part in the First World War and were soon forced out of the fleet by more modern ships.

In 1930, Enoki and Nora were converted into minesweepers. At the same time, their armament was reduced to two 120-mm guns of a new model (barrel length 45 calibers) and two 7.7-mm machine guns. They served in this capacity until 1938. The rest of the ships of the series were excluded and scrapped back in 1932.

Amatsukaze type.

Displacement normal 1227 tons, full 1570 tons.

Length 99.25 m (96.42 w / l). Width 8.5 m. Draft 2.75 m.

Mechanisms: 5 Kampon boilers, 3 Parsons PTUs.

Power and speed: 27,000 hp, 34 knots.

Fuel stock 147 tons of coal + 297 tons of oil. Cruising range 4000 miles (15 knots).

Artillery: four 120 mm, two 7.7 mm machine guns.

Torpedoes: six 457 mm (3 × 2).

The crew is 128 people.

Amatsukaze. State Kure shipyard. Laid down in 1916, entered service in 1917, excluded in 1935.

Hamakaze. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki. 1916 - 1917 - 1935

Isokaze. State Kure shipyard. 1916 - 1917 - 1935

Tokitsukaze. Kawasaki, Kobe. 1916 - 1917 - scrapped in 1948

At the beginning of 1917, four 1st class destroyers of the Amatsukadze type were commissioned, which became a model for a large series of destroyers built until the second half of the 1920s. They were followed in 1918-1919 by two more powerful ships of the Tanikaze type - with a decrease in the number of 120-mm barrels to three, they finally received two-tube 533-mm (instead of 457-mm) vehicles and showed a speed of 37.5 knots.

Destroyers of the Amatsukadze class of the 1st class, developed by Japanese designers and built according to the 1915 program. In layout and appearance, they strongly resembled the Kaba type, but they had significant innovations, primarily turbines and reinforced torpedo armament.

Starting with this type, the Japanese switched to a single caliber of destroyer artillery, although the guns themselves remained the old 120 mm 40-caliber guns. Machine guns stood on elevated platforms, and the task of defense from aircraft came to the fore, but their location was not entirely successful, since the smoke from the chimneys interfered with the shooting.

On March 25, 1918, Tokitsukadze sank, fractured as a result of landing on stones off the coast of Kyushu. True, in July he was raised and taken to Maizuru for repairs, and in February 1920 he again entered service. In 1936, the ship was transferred to the training category and disarmed.

The most intense activity took place in the last years of the destroyers' service. By the beginning of 1931, Amatsukadze, Tokitsukadze, Isokadze, Khamakadze constituted the 18th destroyer division, which was part of the Chinese squadron. Over the next four years, they were in Chinese waters, but on April 1, 1935, they were expelled from the fleet in order to free up the tonnage limit for new ships. Three destroyers were scrapped, and Tokitsukadze became a training ship, and then Haikan # 20. During the war, it remained in Etajima, and in 1948 it was dismantled at Kure.

IJN Amatsukaze, 1917

Tanikaze type.

Displacement normal 1300 tons, full 1580 tons.

Length 102.3 m (99.5 m w / l). Width 8.82 m. Draft 2.75 m.

Mechanisms: 4 boilers Kampon, 2 PTU Curtis at Tanikaz, TZA Parsons at Kavakadze.

Power and speed: 34,000 hp, 37.5 knots.

Fuel stock: 380 tons (oil). Cruising range: 4000 miles (15 knots).

Artillery: three 120 mm, two 7.7 mm machine guns.

Torpedoes: six 533 mm (3 × 2).

The crew is 128 people.

Kawakaze. State shipyard Maizuru. Laid down in 1917, entered service in 1919, expelled in 1935.

Tanikaze. State shipyard Maizuru. 1916 - 1917 - expelled in 1934

Ordered under the 1916 program. They were an improved type of Amatsukadze and had many innovations. This mainly concerned weapons. Although the number of main battery guns has decreased, for the first time 120-mm guns of Japanese design with a barrel length of 45 calibers were used. These cannons fired 20 kg shells at a maximum range of 15800 m. Their location was changed. Cannon # 2 was installed at the forecastle edge behind the navigating bridge, and gun # 3 on a raised stern superstructure. All guns had shields. The next innovation in the field of weapons was the use of 533-mm torpedoes. Three two-pipe apparatus were located in the same way as on the Amatsukadze type.

As for the power plant, here for the first time they switched to pure oil heating of boilers. If Tanikadze had direct-acting steam turbines, then Kawakadze was equipped with the first Japanese-made turbo-gear unit. Compared to the previous series, these destroyers have significantly increased their speed, developing 37.5 knots.

During a major overhaul in the mid-1920s, the torpedo tubes were replaced with two three-tube ones (the bow TA was removed). This made it possible to expand the area of gun No. 2, providing it with better angles of fire in the forward direction. We also installed a modern fire control system.

Both destroyers did not have time to take part in the First World War. In peacetime they were part of the United Fleet. There were no highlights in their careers. Tanikadze became the blocker of Haikan No. 19. In 1944, it was made a training base for Kaiten human-guided torpedo drivers. Finally, the hull of the former destroyer was sunk as a breakwater in the harbor of Kure.

And that's all for today! Next time we will talk about the favorites of the players who were recently shuffled on the sub-branches with the change in levels. Don't switch!

Japanese ships can be distinguished by the perfect condition of their decks and sides. Beauty is achieved in two ways: 1) traditional Japanese neatness and attention to detail; 2) extremely young age, which for many ships does not exceed 10 years.

In just one decade, the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has been replenished with 10 new destroyers. The update takes place imperceptibly, without unnecessary noise and promises to build N ships by ... the eleventh year.

Four are classified as helicopter destroyers... With a solid flight deck and dimensions clearly larger than those of conventional destroyers. But this is not the Mistral either. Japanese helicopter carriers are intended for operations on the high seas, as part of high-speed squadrons of warships. In concept, they are close to the Soviet aircraft-carrying cruisers (TAVKr pr. 1143), adjusted for their smaller size and more balanced characteristics for solving clearly defined missions (PLO).

From the destroyers they got an impressive set of detection equipment (radars with AFAR, sonars). And anti-submarine helicopter carriers of the "Hyuuga" type are also not weak defensive complex, 60 medium-range anti-aircraft missiles.

Two destroyers (type "Atago") - enlarged copies of American "Berks" equipped with the Aegis system and 90 launchers for missiles and space interceptors SM-3.

The last four are Akizuki-class missile destroyers(entered service in 2012 - 2014). Small for their class (7000 tons), but equipped with the most modern electronics. Sharpened for the detection of low-flying targets.

The appearance of these ships completed the formation of the air defense contour of the Japanese formations. In this scheme, "melee destroyers" cover the "senior in rank" - ships equipped with the "Aegis" system, which are responsible for intercepting targets at high altitudes.

No one else has such a competent system, not even the US Navy.

But not even a couple of years have passed, and the Japanese are launching another destroyer of a new type (design DD25), named "Asahi"... In honor of the battleship during the Russo-Japanese War.

Destroyer launching ceremony, October 19, 2016

Who does not speak, who speaks does not

The appearance of "Asahi" came as a surprise even to those who closely follow the construction of warships around the world. Yes, this was only vague rumors about the development of two series of the latest destroyers - the budget DD25 and the promising DD27, combining conventional weapons with weapons on new physical. principles. Without specifying specific characteristics and the number of ships under construction.

However, today the amount of information has not increased much.

JS Asahi, tail number “119”. The hull length is 151 m, the width is 18.3 m. The standard displacement is 5100 tons. The full displacement is within 7000 tons. The main feature is a new type of sonar, the name and characteristics of which were not disclosed.

Everything else is the conclusions drawn from the presented photographs.

One of the first images of the DD25 destroyer under construction.

First of all, it should be noted that the Japanese still managed to build a destroyer that does not look like an aircraft carrier.

Based on the statements, the main purpose of Asahi will be anti-submarine defense. The design of the destroyer does not contain a large number of innovative solutions. DD25 is the next step in the development of Japanese destroyers in the 2010s. ("Hyuga", "Izumo", "Akizuki"), carrying similar combat systems and detection equipment.

Elements of a characteristic shape are visible on the outer surfaces of the superstructure - places for the installation of antennas for a multifunctional radar, similar to the FCS-3A. Radar complex, consisting of eight active phased array. Four perform detection functions, four - missile guidance. The system is designed to repel attacks in the near zone using low-flying anti-ship missiles.

Radar antennas of the destroyer-helicopter carrier "Hyuga"

The Combat Information System (BIUS) will most likely be represented by the ATECS system.

Advanced technology command system (ATECS) is an independent Japanese development that takes into account all the technical nuances and tactics of using ships, also known as the "Japanese Aegis".

The capabilities of the new Asahi coincide with the previous Akizuki project. The main difference is in the installation of a new sonar, the characteristics of which, as noted above, are classified. There are no GAS images in the presented images. Perhaps we are talking about a towed low frequency antenna and / or an antenna with a variable immersion depth. With the corresponding changes made to the destroyer CICS.

In the aft part of the superstructure there is a helicopter hangar and a landing pad.

Armament - according to tradition, 32 or 16 below-deck launchers. You don't need to focus on quantity. Like all modern ships, "Asahi" will be structurally underutilized in order to save money in peacetime. If necessary, the number of airborne weapons and other weapons on board can increase unpredictably.

Despite the lack of information on the exact composition of the weapons, the meaning of the appearance of these ships is beyond doubt. The Japanese concept provides for the creation of an echeloned defense (air defense / anti-aircraft defense) for areas of combat maneuvering of ships performing missile defense missions.

The Japanese are equally well aware of the threat posed by modern low-flying missiles and submarines. Hence, a series of multifunctional destroyers with advanced defensive capabilities, in parallel with which the construction of high-speed helicopter carriers with squadrons of anti-submarine helicopters is underway.

In fact, few people realize that in the field of anti-submarine defense, the Japanese fleet has long been in first place in the world.

And in other respects, it is already catching up with the American fleet. To date, the Japanese self-defense navy includes 30 ocean-going warships with missile weapons.

Despite the seeming variety of destroyer types, all combat complexes, systems and mechanisms are strictly unified. So, all the ships of the latest series ("Hyuga", "Izumo", "Akizuki", "Asahi") carry the same set of sensors and CIUS. Gas turbine power plants are represented by only two types of turbines - manufactured under license LM2500 and Rolls-Royce Sprey. Standard MK.41 launchers are used to store and launch missiles of all types.

Floating Acoustic Jammer (FAJ) aboard the destroyer Akizuki. The system shoots out acoustic false targets ("rattles" floats) at a distance of up to 1000 m from the ship's side, the battery life is 7 minutes.

The surface component of the Japanese Navy is strictly defensive. Despite the presence of a certain number of anti-ship missiles ("Type 90" of their own design), Japanese destroyers do not carry strike weapons in the form of long-range missiles. Officially, this is due to an article in the Japanese constitution that prohibits the creation of such systems. There is also a modern principle in which strike missions are considered the prerogative of submarines and aircraft.

Whenever the topic touches the Japanese fleet, the public has associations with the Russo-Japanese War and Tsushima. The wound inflicted in that battle cannot heal for over 100 years. The reason was a deafening defeat from those who were considered "funny macaques" and helpless vassals of Great Britain.

Gentlemen, repetition of Tsushima is not possible these days. This requires that both sides have ships, and not just one.

In the Tsushima battle, as well as during the battle in the Yellow Sea, Russian and Japanese squadrons fought. Consisting of ships of equal strength, built at the same time, at the same technical level. At the same time, at the beginning of the last century, the Japanese had not yet observed such a clear numerical superiority over the Russian fleet.

Launching of the destroyer-helicopter carrier "Izumo", 2013. The second aircraft carrier of this type will be commissioned on March 22, 2017.

Under construction "Asahi" next to the large destroyer "Ashigara"

Last fall, the launching ceremony of the second Asahi-class destroyer took place in Nagasaki. The ship was named "Shiranuhi" ("sea glow" - an unexplored optical phenomenon observed off the coast of Japan).

Meanwhile, the lead Asahi, launched in 2016, is already completing its test cycle. The commissioning ceremony is scheduled for March 2018.

On the part of Japan's naval self-defense forces, only brief information was announced regarding the appointment of new destroyers: Asahi and Siranuhi (type 25DD) have expanded anti-submarine capabilities.

The body is identical to the previous 19DD Akizuki series. External differences have a superstructure, where a new radar with receiving and transmitting modules made of gallium nitride (instead of the previously used silicon) is located. Instead of a copy of the American AN / SQQ-89, a self-developed sonar system was installed on the 25DD destroyers. For economic reasons, the Asahi's ammunition was cut by half (from 32 to 16 UVP). The destroyer is equipped with a gas turbine power plant with an electric transmission.

That, perhaps, is all that is reliably known about the warships of the sons of Amaterasu.

The Shiranuhi ends an era in the history of the Japanese navy. The following projects: the promising destroyer (33DD) and the escort frigate (30DEX) being created to work with it in pairs, will change the face of the Japanese Navy. Grouped silhouette, single "octahedron" superstructure with integrated antenna units and composite hull. However, I would not attach much importance to this information: the launch of the head 33DD is scheduled for 2024. Taking into account the paranoid secrecy traditional for the Japanese around priority projects, it is now impossible to describe the exact appearance of the destroyer 33DD.

Returning to the Shiranuhi and Asahi: over the past three decades, Japanese ships have been built according to a strict concept. The battle groups are headed by large destroyers with the Aegis system (6 units), focused on fulfilling missile defense missions and intercepting targets on the border of the atmosphere and space. Around the "flagships" there is a dense security ring of 20 destroyers designed in Japan.

While retaining the general layout and features of the American "Arleigh Berks", Japanese projects are smaller, but have a richer configuration and increased efficiency in solving defensive tasks. For example, the Japanese were the first to introduce an AFAR radar on a warship (the OPS-24 system on the destroyer Hamagiri, 1990).

To counter threats from high-speed low-flying missiles (together with the Netherlands), the FCS-3 radar complex with eight active phased antennas was created. Four - for target detection and tracking. Four more - for the guidance of their own anti-aircraft missiles.

Today it is one of the best systems for this purpose.

In one form or another (FCS-3A, OPS-50), the complex has been installed on all destroyers of the Japanese self-defense MS since 2009. A feature of this radar is the centimeter range of operation, which provides the best resolution (at the cost of reducing the detection range).

Such combat assets are prescribed to operate in conjunction with the Aegis destroyers.

The most formidable and modern are “Akizuki” (“autumn moon”) and “Asahi” (“rays of the rising sun”). A squad of six samurai, who, even apart from their older brothers, remain one of the best destroyer projects in the world. The existing disadvantages (the absence of a long-range radar) are covered by their main advantage - a clear correspondence to the tasks facing them.

Multifunctional warships (7 thousand tons - enough to accommodate any weapons) with outstanding short-range air defense. Aegis is instructed to deal with distant targets in the stratosphere.

Small ammunition load is an illusion of peacetime. The Japanese have already demonstrated a similar trick, with the replacement of the Mogami artillery towers. The cruisers, in secret, were designed for 8 "caliber, but, according to the terms of an international agreement, they carried" fake "six-inches. Until the thunder struck. And the Japanese have four heavy cruisers out of nowhere.

In the case of "Asahi" - a ship with a total displacement of 7 thousand tons is clearly designed for more. Surely, there is a reserved space for additional UVP modules.

Strike weapons are absent for political reasons. Taking into account the state of Japanese science and industry, the creation of their own analogue of "Caliber" is not a problem for them, but a minor expense.

« The Japanese authorities are exploring the possibility of creating a production of long-range cruise missiles for striking ground targets. This edition was told by a source in the Cabinet of Ministers of the country. Such plans arose in connection with the unstable situation on the Korean Peninsula.“.- Sankei newspaper, December 28, 2017

Japan has its own anti-ship missile system for a long time (Type 90). Unified for launching from surface ships and submarines.

Until recently, the Japanese had little or no discernible experience in naval shipbuilding. Sounds ridiculous to the creators of Nagato and Yamato. Alas, the experience of the past was irretrievably lost along with the defeat in the war.

For forty years, the surface forces were frigates with American weapons. The Japanese carried out their own equipment modernization (the FCS-2 control system for the Sea Sparrow air defense missile system), launched a large-scale production of gas turbine power plants under license (Mitsubishi-Rolls-Royce, Ishikawajima-Harima), but the general level of military shipbuilding looked unworthy descendants of Admiral Yamamoto.

The breakthrough came in 1990, when Japan, with great difficulty, received technical documentation for the Aegis naval air defense system.

Having received the technology, the Japanese immediately built 4 first-class Congo-class destroyers. A name that has nothing to do with the African state. "Congo" - in honor of the legendary battle cruiser, a participant in both world wars, in translation - "indestructible".

From their American "twins", the Japanese Aegis differs in a truss mast and a more bulky superstructure in which the flagship command post is located.

In one decade, 14 Murasame and Takanami-class destroyers were commissioned, which became teaching aids on the path of the revival of the Navy. The most advanced solutions of that time were embodied in the design of these ships (remember, we are talking about the mid-1990s):

- solid superstructure “from side to side”, reminiscent of a “berk”;

- elements of stealth technology. The hull and superstructure received non-repeating angles of inclination of the outer surfaces, and radio-transparent materials were used in the construction of the masts;

- universal launchers Mk.41 and Mk.48;

- combined electronic warfare station NOLQ-3, copied from the American "slick-32";

- for the first time in world practice - a radar with AFAR;

- the prototype of the new generation BIUS, the development of which later became ATECS (advanced technology command system) - "Japanese Aegis". Actually, no one doubted the Japanese success in the field of microelectronics.

- large-scale measures to increase automation, which made it possible to reduce the crew of "Murasame" to 170 people;

- a powerful and "pick-up" gas turbine unit, capable of reaching full power in 1.5 minutes.

The rest - without madness and frills. The goal was to build reliable and well-balanced ships, whose appearance matched the current capabilities of the industry.

The Japanese, with their usual perseverance and attention to detail, were not even too lazy to build a full-scale "model" of the destroyer with the dissonant name JS-6102 Asuka. In fact, it is a test bench for testing new solutions. Due to the almost complete identity of its characteristics to combat ships (with the exception of some knots and a "jumble" of weapons), the Japanese, if necessary, will have one more destroyer.

Having mastered the technique of building modern warships to perfection, the samurai moved on to more expensive and technically sophisticated projects. This is how Akizuki (2010) and Asahi (2016) appeared.

Today, with 30 combat units of the oceanic zone, incl. With 26 missile destroyers and 4 aircraft-carrying ships, taking into account the technical level of these means, the surface component of Japan's self-defense MS is deservedly ranked second in the world. The economic component of success is that Japan's military spending is only 1% of GDP (the leader among developed countries is Russia with an indicator of over 5%), and in absolute terms, the Japanese military budget is 1.5 times lower than the domestic budget.

The main question remains - when, finally, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces will be removed from their name "self-defense"?

Instead of an afterword:

« The Japanese naval miracle of the early 20th century, which turned the Land of the Rising Sun into a superpower, became possible only thanks to the amazing rationalism of the Teikoku Kaigun (Imperial Navy). In contrast to the confusion and vacillation that reigned in the naval headquarters and admiralty offices of many countries (and especially in Russia), the Japanese made almost no mistakes, adopting from the British allies all the most advanced - technology, tactics, combat training, the system of basing and supply , - and in the shortest possible time creating a "clean slate" of a modern fleet, dominating in the waters of the Far East."- from the book" The Triumphants of Tsushima. Battleships of the Japanese fleet ”, S. Balakin.

In just one decade, the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has been replenished with 10 new destroyers.

The update takes place imperceptibly, without unnecessary noise and promises to build N ships by ... the eleventh year.

Four are classified as helicopter destroyers. With a solid flight deck and dimensions clearly larger than those of conventional destroyers. But this is not the Mistral either. Japanese helicopter carriers are intended for operations on the high seas, as part of high-speed squadrons of warships. In concept, they are close to the Soviet aircraft-carrying cruisers (TAVKr pr. 1143), adjusted for their smaller size and more balanced characteristics for solving clearly defined missions (PLO).

Two destroyers (type "Atago") - enlarged copies of American "Berks", equipped with the "Aegis" system and 90 launchers for missiles and space interceptors SM-3.

The last four are Akizuki-class missile destroyers (commissioned in 2012–2014). Small for their class (7000 tons), but equipped with the most modern electronics. Sharpened for the detection of low-flying targets.

No one else has such a competent system, not even the US Navy.

But in less than a couple of years, the Japanese launched another destroyer of a new type (design DD25), named “Asahi”. In honor of the battleship during the Russo-Japanese War.

Who does not speak, who speaks does not

The appearance of "Asahi" came as a surprise even to those who closely follow the construction of warships around the world. Yes, this was only vague rumors about the development of two series of the latest destroyers - the budget DD25 and the promising DD27, combining conventional weapons with new physical. principles. Without specifying specific characteristics and the number of ships under construction.

However, today the amount of information has not increased much.

JS Asahi, tail number “119”. The length of the hull is 151 m, the width is 18.3 m. The standard displacement is 5100 tons. The total displacement is within 7000 tons. The main feature is a new type of sonar, the name and characteristics of which were not disclosed.

Everything else is the conclusions drawn from the presented photographs.

One of the first images of the DD25 destroyer under construction.

First of all, it should be noted that the Japanese still managed to build a destroyer that does not look like an aircraft carrier.

Radar antennas of the destroyer-helicopter carrier "Hyuga"

The Combat Information System (BIUS) will most likely be represented by the ATECS system.

Advanced technology command system (ATECS) is an independent Japanese development that takes into account all the technical nuances and tactics of using ships, also known as the "Japanese Aegis".

In the aft part of the superstructure there is a helicopter hangar and a landing pad.

In fact, few people realize that in the field of anti-submarine defense, the Japanese fleet has long been in first place in the world.

And in other respects, it is already catching up with the American fleet. To date, the Japanese self-defense navy includes 30 ocean-going warships with missile weapons.

Gentlemen, repetition of Tsushima is not possible these days. This requires that both sides have ships, and not just one.

Launch of the destroyer-helicopter carrier "Izumo", 2013. The second aircraft carrier of this type will be commissioned on March 22, 2017.

Under construction "Asahi" next to the large destroyer "Ashigara"

A brief overview of the evolution of the class of destroyers in the Japanese navy

This review does not pretend to be any originality, its purpose is to briefly and clearly analyze the main stages in the development of Japanese destroyers from 1905 to 1945, as well as to trace the key changes in their appearance and weapons.
The main sources of illustrations are the albums of Patyanin and Apalkov.
Amendments, questions, complaints and suggestions are accepted :-)

The last type of classic "30-knot fighter" in the Japanese navy was "Asakadze"... A series of 32 such ships was laid down even before the end of the Russo-Japanese War, they had the same displacement as their predecessors (380 tons), two single 457-mm torpedo tubes, but reinforced artillery of six 76-mm guns, due to which the speed has decreased slightly. In the 1920s, the artillery was further strengthened by replacing the four 76 mm guns with two 120 mm guns.

1. Destroyer "Asakadze", 1906

The series was under construction until 1909, when in Japan were laid (the first in the world!) "Modern" turbine destroyers - two ships of the type "Umikaze"... Their standard displacement immediately tripled - up to 1030 tons, the speed increased to 33 knots. The ships received two 120-mm guns and five 76-mm guns, but only three torpedo tubes, moreover, arranged in a triangle.

2. Destroyer "Umikaze", 1911

The type was considered unsuccessful due to weak armament, followed in 1911 by two smaller turbine destroyers of the 2nd class. "Sakura" and "Tachibana"(530 tons) at a speed of 30 knots, one 120-mm and four 76-mm guns, but already with two twin-tube torpedo tubes. In 1913, in England (according to the Yarrow project), their enlarged versions were ordered - 1st class destroyers "Urakadze" and "Kavakadze", at 810 tons, had the same speed and the same artillery, but equipped with a 533-mm TA.

3. Destroyer "Sakura", 1912

From that moment on, the division of Japanese destroyers into two classes began. In the image of "Sakura" in 1914-1917, 22 class 2 destroyers were built. "Kaba"(including 12 - for the French fleet, type "Algerien") and four destroyers of the type "Momo"; the latter had 755 tons, three 120-mm guns and, for the first time in the Japanese navy, three-tube torpedo tubes (six 457-mm tubes). In 1918, this line was continued by six practically the same (displacement increased by 15 tons) destroyers of the "Enoki" type.

4. Destroyer "Kaba", 1915

At the same time, at the beginning of 1917, four destroyers of the 1st class of the type "Amatsukadze"(1105 tons, 34 knots, four 120-mm guns and three twin-pipe 457-mm vehicles), which became a model for a large series of destroyers built until the second half of the 1920s. They were followed in 1918-1919 by two more powerful ships of the "Tanikaze" type - when the number of 120-mm barrels was reduced to three, they finally received two-pipe 533-mm devices and showed a speed of 37.5 knots.

5. Destroyer "Amatsukadze", 1917

Then, in 1918-1927, three large series of very similar destroyers followed: Minekadze(15 units), "Kamikaze"(9 units) and "Mutsuki"(12 units). All of them had a slightly different standard displacement (gradually increased from 1215 to 1315 tons), a speed of 37 knots (for Minekadze - up to 39), a similar two-pipe silhouette with the arrangement of guns on elevations above the main deck and the first torpedo tube - in a characteristic "Failure" immediately after the forecastle, in front of the bow superstructure. The difference was that the first type had 45-caliber guns, the next two had 50-caliber guns; on the other hand, the first and the second type had three two-tube torpedo tubes, and the Mutsuki first had three-tube 610-mm tubes. All three series took an active part in World War II, and most of the Minekadze-class destroyers by the beginning of the war were rebuilt into so-called high-speed transports (with the preservation of two main guns and one torpedo tube)

6. Destroyer "Minekadze" in 1920 and 1941

7. Destroyer "Kamikaze" after entering service, 1922

8. Destroyer "Mutsuki" in 1926 and 1941

The next stage (again, not only in Japanese, but also in world shipbuilding) was the appearance of the Fubuki-class destroyers.(24 units, counting 4 ships of the third series, which are sometimes referred to as an independent type "Akatsuki"). These ships were built from 1926 to 1932, had a standard displacement of 1750 tons (in reality it turned out to be higher due to constant alterations), a speed in forced mode (50,000 hp) up to 38 knots, three three-pipe 610-mm torpedo tubes and six 127-mm guns in two-gun turrets - more precisely, closed tower-like installations. The types and degree of "versatility" of such installations could vary - from the original model A with an elevation angle of 40 ° guns to models B and D with an elevation angle of 75 °).

9. Destroyer "Fubuki", 1928]

10. Destroyer "Akatsuki" - the lead ship of the third series of destroyers of the "Fubuki" class, 1934. The turrets of model "B" are clearly visible with an elevation angle of the guns of 75 °

The displacement of the "destroyers of the new type" did not fit into international restrictions (London Conference), therefore, in 1931, the construction of lightweight destroyers of the type began. "Hatsuharu"(9 units). When the standard displacement was reduced to 1,490 tons, one of the towers was replaced with a single-gun turret, and the speed was reduced to 36.5 knots (at 42,000 hp). But at the same time, for the first time, the torpedo tubes were equipped with a quick reloading system, because of which the single-gun turret had to be removed from the stern and perched on the bow superstructure, and the first and third torpedo tubes were installed high above the deck - so that the loading system of the second device could be placed directly below them, on level of the main deck. Among other things, this caused the asymmetry of the superstructures (including the shift of the second pipe to the starboard side) and the nonlinear placement of the vehicles themselves (the first is shifted to the left of the center plane, the second to the right).

11. Destroyer "Hatsuharu" - initial appearance, 1933

As a result, this layout turned out to be extremely unsuccessful: the equipment was installed very tightly and interfered with each other, and the ships received too much upper weight, which reduced stability. In the end, the third torpedo tube had to be removed from the stern superstructure, the first returned to the center plane, and the single-gun turret moved to the stern (or removed altogether). In addition, 84 tons of ballast were additionally loaded into the hold. As a result, the ships' displacement increased to 1,715 tons, almost reaching the original displacement of the "Fubuki".

12. Destroyer "Hatsuharu" after conversion, 1939

The development of the Hatsuharu class was the destroyers of the "Shiratuyu"(10 units). With a predetermined standard displacement of 1685 tons, they had the same power plant (real speed - 34 knots) and two four-tube TA, which eliminated the clutter of the space between the superstructures and made it possible to place them and equipment symmetrically: the charging device of the second apparatus is in the aft superstructure , device for the first apparatus - on both sides of the second pipe; The single-gun turret was immediately placed behind the aft superstructure, with its "back" to the third turret.

The next type of "large" Japanese destroyers were ships of the type "Asashio"(10 units) - considered, however, a further development of the type "Hatsuharu" / "Shiratsuyu", and not "Fubuki". With a standard displacement of 1961 tonnes (more than on the Fubuki), they returned to the 50,000 hp unit. (35 knots). In terms of the composition and placement of artillery, they completely repeated the "Fubuki", in terms of torpedo armament - "Shiratsuyu". It is characteristic that on some of the destroyers (starting with the Yamagumo), the fast-loading device of the first torpedo tube was not behind, but in front of it, on both sides of the first tube; this is how it will be installed on all subsequent destroyers.

This was followed by the last pre-war type of destroyers - the series "Kagero"(18 units), built from 1937 to 1941. With a slightly increased displacement (2033 tons) and machine power, they had exactly the same speed and armament - only the C-2 type turrets with partial stabilization were new. Further development of "Kagero" were 20 destroyers of the "Yugumo" class built during the war years (1941-1944), with a slight increase in displacement (up to 2077 tons), retained the same characteristics (only received even newer and heavier towers of model D with a full-fledged stabilization device and an elevation angle of 75 °).

13. Destroyer "Shiranui" of the "Kagero" class, 1939

The completion of the line of Japanese destroyers of the 1st class were ships of two completely different types, significantly different both from each other and from their predecessors. First, it was an experimental destroyer "Simakadze", which entered service in the spring of 1943. By increasing the standard displacement immediately to 2,567 tons using high-pressure turbines (using German experience), the designers managed to achieve a sharp increase in speed - up to 39 knots at 75,000 hp. (on tests - 41 knots at 80,000 hp). The artillery armament remained the same (model D turrets), but the torpedo armament was significantly strengthened: three five-pipe 610-mm torpedo tubes - however, without the possibility of quick reloading in battle, because there was absolutely nowhere to shove the device for it.

14. Destroyer "Simakadze"

The second was the type Akitsuki- probably the most famous after the "Fubuki" itself, built since 1940. 16 units were ordered, 12 ships were completed: the lead one entered service in June 1942, the last, "Natsutsuki" - a week before Japan's adoption of the Potsdam Declaration. These ships with a standard displacement of 2,700 tons (slightly more than that of the "Simakadze") were an unexpected, but internally very logical hybrid of a "cruising" destroyer escorting high-speed formations and an air defense cruiser to cover the same formations. They carried only one four-tube TA (with a reloading device), but eight new 100/65 mm universal guns in four stabilized turrets. The same power plant as on the Kagero-class destroyers allowed them to reach speeds of 33 knots - not enough for a destroyer, but quite enough for a cruiser. In fact, "Akitsuki" became the Japanese analogue of the British air defense cruisers of the "C" type - with a similar composition of weapons (8 four-inch guns), they were much smaller, did not carry armor, but they had a 3.5 knots higher speed, modern stabilized towers, and in addition to everything, they could carry out torpedo attacks, that is, act as destroyers. So the destroyer "Terutsuki" in the first night battle near Guadalcanal (on the night of November 13, 1942) with artillery fire destroyed the American destroyer "Kushing", and torpedoes - the destroyer "Laffey".

15. Destroyer "Akitsuki", 1942

Since the First World War, the line of development of the second class destroyers (actually destroyers) in Japan has been parallel to the "large" destroyers. Moreover, as in Germany, these were precisely destroyers - that is, ships for torpedo attacks, and not escort ships, which developed completely separately.

A further development of the WWII destroyer line was a large series of ships of the type "Momi", which entered service in 1919-1922 and consisted of three subseries (21 units). With the same displacement as the "Enoki" (770 tons), they managed to supply more powerful machines (21,000 hp), which gave an increase in speed to 36 knots. The artillery armament remained the same, but instead of two three-pipe 457-mm devices, two two-pipe 533-mm devices were installed.

16. Destroyer of the 2nd class "Momi", 1919

The silhouette of the ships also changed a lot: now they resembled destroyers of the Minekadze and Kamikaze types that were being built at the same time: the first torpedo tube was located immediately behind the forecastle and in front of the bow superstructure, the second and third guns - on elevated platforms. In fact, these ships can be considered reduced (and cheaper) "duplicates" of class 1 destroyers: with practically the same speed, but with slightly weakened armament and a shorter cruising range - 3000 miles instead of 4000. Most of the Momi-class destroyers, even if and in a converted form, survived until World War II.

Outwardly, the destroyers of the next series practically did not differ from them - "Wakatake"(8 units), commissioned in 1922-1923; they were 50 tons heavier, had a half-knot less speed and additionally carried sweeping equipment. They became the last ships in the Japanese navy, officially called class 2 destroyers - then all torpedo ships of this class were called destroyers.

17. Destroyer of the 2nd class "Yuri" (since 1928 - "Wakatake") after commissioning, 1922

Accordingly, the destroyers of the type "Tomozuru"(4 units) - however, they entered service much later, in 1933-1934. With an extremely small displacement (535 tons), they carried 127-mm artillery in the towers (one-gun at the bow, two-gun at the stern) and two twin-tube TA - however, only 533-mm. Weak cars with a capacity of only 11,000 hp. allowed to reach only 30 knots.

18. Destroyer "Tomozuru" before and after the 1934 disaster

The ships turned out to be over-lightened, with a large upper weight and low stability, and after the Tomozuru on March 12, 1934 turned up keel in a squall (though not drowning), the Japanese began to urgently rebuild their destroyers and destroyers.

As a result, the next series of destroyers of the type "Otori"(8 units), which entered service in 1936-1937, already carried artillery in shield installations, and not in closed towers - and these were older 120/45-mm guns. At the same time, the displacement increased to 840 tons, and in order to maintain the same speed, the power of the power plant had to be increased to 19,000 hp. Torpedo armament was also reduced: now it was one three-pipe 533-mm TA - albeit with a closed control post.

19. Destroyer "Kiji" type "Otori", 1937

After that, the construction of destroyers for the Japanese fleet stopped for several years, and they were revived only during the war. From 1943 to 1945, a large series of destroyers of the type "Matsu"(18 units). These ships had a simplified and cheaper design and were no longer intended for squadron operations, so their speed was reduced to 28 knots - at 19,000 hp and a fairly decent standard displacement of 1,260 tons. The ships carried three new 127/40-mm universal guns in one- and two-gun semi-enclosed installations, a powerful MZA (24 25-mm barrels) and one four-tube 610-mm torpedo tube. The further development of this series was the ships of the type "Tachibana", differing only in the shape of the superstructure and the transom stern, and a displacement increased by 30 tons. It was planned to build over a hundred units, but 23 ships were laid down, and only 14 were commissioned by the end of the war.

20. Escort destroyer "Matsu", 1944]

21. Closed tower-like installations of Japanese destroyers. Model A has an elevation angle of 40 °, Models B and D 75 °, Model C 55 °