Haruna class destroyer (1971)

Japanese Self Defence Naval Force:
2 Helicopter Destroyers: JDS Haruna, JDS Hiei (1973-2011)

The Haruna-class destroyer were arguably the biggest expansion step ever taken by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in capabilities to this point. Not only these were the first Japanese helicopter-carrying destroyers (DDH), operating three helicopters, but also the largest Japanese warships ever built since WW2 Powerful names were resurrected for the occasion, belonging to the IJN Kongo class Battlecruisers. However the doctrinal aspects that presided their design is very different that most expects by comparing them to NATO cold war helicopter cruisers. JDS Haruna and Hiei remained active until 2009 and 2011 respectively, a remarkable career, and opening a long lineage that ends with doday’s Izumo class.

Development

In Brief: Just a Helicopter Destroyer ?

Originally, the Coastal Safety Force and the JMSDF, intended from the start to possess at some point a fleet aviation, and by 1960, the Defense Agency planned to construct one helicopter carrier (CVH) as part of the Second Defense Build-up Plan. However it was cancelled due to changes in the JMSDF, to disperse its fleet aviation assets among destroyers and thus, avoid concentrating them in a single or two platforms (and targets). The DDH project was later resurrected as a “hub” for these dispersed air assets, with full logistics and service capability for these, rather than an ASW attack vessel.

Initially, indeed, the DDH concept was similar to that of the Takatsuki-class DDA, with two 5-inch/54 caliber Mark 42 (Type 73) guns and one Type 74 SAM launcher mirroring the US Mark 16 GMLS, all on the forecastle deck to free the aft section. But with the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program in 1983-1984, Sea Sparrow launchers, Phalanx CIWS systems, chaff launchers were added as well as NTDS and the OYQ-6/7 combat direction system. Their half superstructure became a full helicopter hangar with an afterdeck converted as helicopter deck, with a beartrap system to land in bad weather and rolling heavily. This was to operate large HSS-2 ASW helicopters and the surface was exceptionally generous as it extended for 50 meters (164 ft).

Genesis of the Program

Since we started this exploration of cold war Japanese destroyers, one this is clear, they all lacked the same capability that was recoignized internationally as paramount to procure a long range ASW strike patrol: Proper helicopters. The last class seen was the diminutive Minegumo class. The US persuaded the Japanese to adopt their spanking new QH-50D DASH drone, in return for the removal of the ASROC system. However DASH failed and the Japanese later reinstall the ASROC, but thheir ships were just too small to operate an helicopter, just like the previous (and larger) Takatuski class DDG which also were about to feature DASH. So by 1964 already it was clear the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) needed a way to project air power from its ships. Problem, the constitution adopted postwar forbade the use of aircraft carriers. This was interpreted in a restrictive way still in 1960, so even politically the use of drones rather thn helicopters were easier to justify.

On the other hand, the JMSDF staff was aware the country at some point would need a way to reacquire maritime air power after its establishment, but it was done through seaplanes and maritime patrol aviation. In April 1954, as the founding blocks of the Maritime Self-Defense Force were still setup. They provisioned two “escort carriers” to go with the formation of anti-submarine warfare groups, but this was a potential breech of the constitution and needed US approval. By September 1955, the Chief of Staff of the JMSDF, Hiroshi Nagasawa, inspected a ww2 modernized U.S. Navy escort carrier stationed in Yokosuka (converted to operate helicopters). It was already grtanted at the time, the use of helicopters would niot breech the constitution, and already had the greenlight of US authorities in the name of a better ASW capability.

The 1956 review within the Defense Agency concluded however that was premature and the plan was abandoned. Furthermore, in the First Defense Defense Program, a similar operational concept led to a prospective design calculated to be 6,000-ton and desfined as a “patrol ship carrying six helicopters”. This progressed to an 11,000-ton ship capable of carrying 18 helicopters, it would have been the equivalent of NATO or Soviet helicopter cruisers such as the Moskva, Italian Doria and Later Veneto, or French Jeanne D’Arc. By 1959 for the Second Defense Defense Program, a helicopter carrier (CVH) neither defined as a destroyer or cruiser, now revised down to a standard displacement of 8,000 tons, reached basic design stage. But again, notably on the political side, there was resistance to the idea which was deemed premature, and that plan was also abandoned.

In the Second Defense Program, The JMSDF planned the full-scale introduction of the HSS-2 patrol helicopter (also known as the Mitsubishi S-61, a licenced Sea King). Initially, it was mainly restricted to shore SAR operations and local defense of major ports and straits and to be based on land. However in response to the worsening Soviet submarine threat and better SSNs, the 3rd Defense Force Development Plan planned again to deply helicopters on ships. The scenario was to face improved conventional submarines and nuclear submarines. It was estimated that eight escort ships were necessary to protect the convoy. Four helicopters were needed in the air for effective area patorl, six helicopters to keep these four constantly deployable. This defined a scheme of eight-ship, six-helicopter as core concept. Technological advancements in between such as fin stabilizers and the “bear trap” now allowed deployment from destroyers and not only cruiser-size vessels. So it was then agreed to deploy two helicopter-carrying destroyers, each capable of carrying three helicopters each, and providing two independent ASW flotilla. The concept was thus validated.

Final Design of the Helicopter Destroyer

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) started testing of the Canadian bear trap system on the amphibious ship “Shiretoko” already in 1967, as well as British-made fin stabilizers were procured for the submarine chaser “Otori”. Design development proceeded fast, and ended with three proposals now under consideration:
1-Tall hull with elevator and hull hangar for a fore-aft main guns. In this one, the hangar was located within the hull and part in the superstructure lifting helicopters to the helideck by elevator. The main guns were now at the bow and stern, behind the hangar and helideck.
2-The Deck hangar and main gun fore and aft, with the hangar located in the superstructure forward of the helicopter deck.
3-The Deck and hangar are placed the same, but both guns are are concentrated at the bow.

The first was rejected to minimize gun damage in case of missed landing or collision. The raised concerns the aft main guns would also obstruct helicopter landings, and securing the required helicopter deck length would increase the size of the hull, tonnage and cost. The third option had the problem of a weak rear end, unprotected. Ultimately, it was agreed that rear section could later receive short-range surface-to-air missiles at a later date. From that third option, the basic design was completed in July 1969 and construction started in March 1970.

Design of the Haruna class

While similar in size and overall layout to the Italian Andrea Doria-class cruisers, of a size and tonnage that were close or even slightly lower, the design differed in its underlying operational requirements. There were fewer commonalities in details. As approved before being ordered, this basic design received the number F108.
The hull was flush deck like all previous designs, but tall and seaworthy, and roughly similaer to the one of the Takatuski class destroyer. It was fitted with stabilizers to remain stable. Over it was for the first time a very large “unitary” bridge structure integrated with the hangar, mack (combo of funnel and mast), similar to the one of the US Knox class frigates, and a generous flight deck that occupied the aft half of the deck over 1/3 of the total lenght. With the hangar deck, this occupied 6/10 of the entire lenght. The final design was still relatively “light” at 4,950 long tons (5,029 t) standard for 6,900 long tons (7,011 t) fully loaded, an overall length of 153.1 m (502 ft), a beam of 17.5 m (57 ft 5 in) and a draft of 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in).

Haruna’s class hull and general arrangements

The bow was characterized by its wave-break deck type and a gradual knuckle, very pronounced forward, almost flat amidship, and pronounced aft again. Due to the numerous weapons concentrated forward, they had an unusually long forecastle, making for a very compact, but tall and bulky structure amidship, occupting about 1/4 of real estate over the entire deck lenght. To ensure sufficient width for the helicopter deck aft, that knuckle recalled the samle arrangement made for the Soviet Moskva class, resulting in an length-to-width ratio of 8.7:1, unusually small for a warship rated for 30 knots. For smooth aircraft operations, the two sets of fin stabilizers hydraulically and electrically operated, were paramount. There were essentially active system countering or reducing roll. They were very efficient, lowing up to 30% of the ship’s roll in heavy weather.

The superstructure was three-tiered and largely based otherwise on the Takatsuki-class (Project 38DDA), but there was no cut as it was fully integrated with the hangar. One advantage for the crew was to be able to circulate at both ends of the structure and hull without even going out in case of NBC alert or conditions. The funnel as said above of of a Mack-type design but the hangar forced it to the port side. It had two outer exhausts with heat signature reduction and a single lattice maintast on top. Haruna initially had issues of exhaust backflow in high wind, “cooking” the forward structure so a backflow system was added starboard side. Hiei, still in construction, had her funnel section raised by 1.5 meters with a large exhaust at its rear port side. For ther variable crew between 360 (Haruna) and 370 (Hiei) with 36 officers, they had a fleet of two motorboats under gravity davits on both sides of the bridge and a cutter at the aft end of the hangar deck in under deck cutout.

Haruna’s class Powerplant

Early appearance on shipbucket

For the main propulsion system, albeit Gas Turbines started to be deployed, it was decided upon a safe system, and to continue with steam turbines, albeit significantly more powerful than that previous destroyers: They had 2 shafts with triple bladed bronze, fixed pitch propellers, driven by struts-suspended shafts to the two main steam turbines. These main turbine had a completely redesigned configuration, with a two-drum impulse series-parallel type, with integrated cruising, and an high-pressure (HP) turbine stage with double-flow low-pressure turbine. There was a locked-train two-stage gear reduction system to manage this. This turbine configuration resulted in greater fuel efficiency at 20-26 knot, primary range, each producing 35,000 horsepower (26,000 kW) for a total of 60,000 hp (45,000 kW) as a basline and 70,000 hp when pushed hard. The forward and aft engine rooms had both control rooms to have the main engines and boilers housed in common like for the Tachikaze-class. Propeller rotation speed was reduced to 300 rpm (340 on previous destroyers). This also reduced fatigue and vibrations.

They were in turn fed by two twin-drum water-tube boilers rated for 850 psi (60 kg/cm², 5.9 MPa) and working at 430 °C, producing 130 tons of steam per hour. They were the same as for the Harukaze-class (Project 28DD). These were Japan’s first domestically produced steam turbine destroyer using boilers with a pressure of 30 kgf/cm2 (430 lbf/in2) and temperature of 400 °C (752 °F). Next, the Amatsukaze (35DDG), and Takatsuki-class (38DDA) increased this to a pressure of 40 kgf/cm2 (570 lbf/in2) and temperature of 450 °C (842 °F). The logical was thus for the next class to push this to 60 kgf/cm2 (850 lbf/in2) and 480 °C (896 °F) albeit it still did not match US standards (pressure 84.5 kgf/cm² (1,202 lbf/in²), temperature 510°C). It was still the most demanding installation, an unprecedented setup for a JMSDF destroyer requiring extra care in construction and outfitting. Both ships diverged also: Haruna DDH 141 had two sets Mitsubishi geared steam turbines and two Mitsubishi boilers given her shipyard, but Hiei DDH 142 was made at IHI Tokyo ahd thus she was completed with IHI geared steam turbines and boilers. This enabled the naval staff to also compare performances for future DDHs.

This powerplant resulted in a top speed of 31 knots (36 mph; 57 km/h), albeit this was in ideal conditions and rarel reached in peacetime service to spare the machinery. In addition there was a 1,200-kilowatt turbine generator installed in each of the forward and aft engine rooms plus a 750-kilowatt diesel generator in the forward engine room to power all systems on board when the main engine were cold (at anchor notably). This was completed by a supplementary backup 500-kilowatt diesel main generator. It was not there righta way, but was added at the the first refit. There were even as second backup, two emergency generators rated for 450-kilowatt each, diesels located between the forward and aft sections in the hull, so completely separated from the engine room, and placed high enough to avoid flooding. The idea was to activate pumps and basic systems in case of a complete powerplant failure or combat disability. This predent configuration was continued up to the Hatsuyuki-class (Project 52DD).

Haruna’s class Armament

The Haruna’s artillery was similar to the fourth Takatsuki-class ship (41DDA), with two Type 73 54-caliber 5-inch single rapid-fire gun (Mk42 5-inch gun) combined with the Type 72 Fire Control System Model 1A (FCS-1A) for three roles, antiship, anti-air and shore bombardment. But in the concept of 8-ship, 6-aircraft they were intended to assist the Tartar SAM system for local air defense. Initially many wanted a single gun and enlarge the flight deck to provide the capability of a simultaneous helicopter take-off and landing.

However the “gunnery and torpedo personnel” insisted on two 5-inch guns and ultimately, that was decision made, but with an arrengement in superfiring position, with “B” gun elevated on a structure. Then, the Type 74 ASROC launcher, domestically produced is placed on a second superimposed configuration. Due to the limited rear firing arc, it was decided to late install a rare SAM, which was realized with the FRAM upgrade. The ASROC was the same as for the Takatsuki-class with a power-assisted manual reloading system via rammer crane from the ammunition magazine on the port side.

2× 5″/54 Mk.42 (Type 73)

The main artillery thus comprised two Type 73 54-caliber 5-inch single rapid-fire guns, wimilar to the USN Mk.42. At the time, this was the most powerful dual-purpose gun in the world. They were made under license at the Japan Steel Works. The associated fire control system was iniatilly planned to be the US Mk.56, like for the Yamagumo and Takatsuki classes but it was soon upgraded to the Type 72 Fire Control System Type 1A (FCS-1A) at completion.

ASROC octuple launcher

This 8-barreled launchers installed forward had a port spare magazine. For specs, see navweaps.
The associated underwater attack command system is described below.

HOS-301, Type 68 triple TTs

Local equivalent of the US Mark 32, Firing Mk-46 torpedoes. These standard short range ASW weapons were the last line of defence against Soviet subs. Thy were locatd amidship, abaft the bridge and under the boats davits with hatches for quick manual reload.

2× 20 mm Phalanx CIWS(FRAM upgrade)

Comparable to the US Mk.15 CIWS. They were installed on side platforms on top of the bridge’s roof, covering both the side and fore, aft section of the ship to counter missiles. See the specs.

Sea Sparrow Mk.29 SAM (FRAM upgrade)

This short ranged SAM system, the type 2 Sea Sparrow was installed after and came with its GMLS-3 octuple reloadable launcher, plus the associated FCS-2-12 for fire direction. The RIM-7M Sea Sparrow had a Mass 510 lb (230 kg), Length 12 ft (3.7 m) x 8 in (20 cm), wingspan 3 ft 4 in (1.02 m).
Carries a 90 lb (41 kg) annular blast fragmentation warhead with proximity fuze and expanding rod, 27 ft (8.2 m) kill radius.
It was powered by a Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor for 4,256 km/h (2,645 mph) at max 10 nmi (19 km).

Air Group

The ships were design to carry three of the largest helicopter in service with the JMSDF, the SH-60J(K) anti-submarine helicopters. Two could stand on their own landing spots but for safety only one can land aft, due to the proximity of the hangar. For the basic system, the Japanese looked at the Canadian Navy as a pioneer in operating large patrol helicopters from destroyer-sized ships, in rough weather. They looked at the recent Iroquois-class. The only difference it operated two Sea King helicopters but could only have one taking off or landing. Thus the Japanese, by committing to a three helicopters destroyer, with two on the helideck at all times, was unprecedented and truly unique.

The helicopter hangar and flight deck aft repsented almost half the ship’s overall lenght, which was pretty radical. The deck itself measured 50 meters in length, clear enough for two Sea Kings to have their propeller running together, each taking a span of 62 ft or 18.90 m. That left almost a ten meters separation. The deck was also 17 meters wide (56 ft) and 15 meters on average so one helicopter could be parked forward, another launched or recovered from the aft landing spot. The Japanese adopted the proven Canadian-made Bear Trap system also used by the RN. This Royal Canadian Navy system was imagined for the Saint Laurent-class destroyers. Operational tests on JDS Shiretoko in 1967 proved its validity.

reddit photo showing Haruna with a crew display on the helideck for the 50th anniversary of the JMSDF
This consists of a probe underside the helicopter and the “bear trap” was a moving rail installed on deck. A bit like the hook of carrier-born aircraft landing, the helicopter needed to catch them. The Haruna had two rails installed, facing both sides of the hangar. The transport shuttle was tailored for two units, but to reduce costs Haruna only received the dual system during her FRAM upgrade. In addition there was a landing and takeoff control room starboard of the helicopter deck. These bear trap systems were constantly improved and became a standard on all destroyers except the recent Hyuga and Izumo-class, akin to carriers and far more stable. The general hangar design was reminiscent of the Andrea Doria-class cruisers. The HSS-2 helicopters were provided at commissioning, but they would be later replaced with the HSS-2A, HSS-2B and then SH-60J in their carrer, basically until this 1960 model started to be withdrawn.

There was also a 8-ton crane installed on the hangar’s starboard corner to recovering a crashed HSS-2 in case of failed emergency landing. The Sea King was amphibious indeed, provided it kept propulsion to not sink, albeit floatation airbags could be deployed. That large and heavy crane hoever was later removed as it was later discovered that the Sea King despite its floatation deviced would tip over and sink anyway if the rotor stopped rotating. It was replaced in FRAM by a much smaller laying across the roof, used a sgeneral purpose crane also to take supplies.

Sensors

In terms of sensors, the Takatsuki-class suite was largely retained. The radar main system was the OPS-11B for air search, OPS-17 for surface search, and the electronic surveillance (ESM) system was the NOLR-5, all designed and built in Japan. The sonar system was the OQS-3 in the bow dome. The planned later installation of the low-frequency OQS-101 sonar was marred by weight issues. For the same reason of weight, the planned installation of a variable-depth sonar was cancelled as well, but the space at the poop existed. They had also the same CIC as the Second Defense Ships, and upgrades had to wait until the FRAM modification.

Modernizations: FRAM Refit

This class created a new type in the Navy, and preceded the even larger Shirane-class (50DDH) under the 4th Defense Force Development Plan. The later integrated both a far superior tactical information processing systems, and a short-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) aft from the start. This resulted in a performance gap that far exceeding the seven-year difference between them, so as part of the 56th Interim Plan, they were upgraded by following an equivalent of the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Reconstruction and Modernization Program (FRAM). Part of it wa sbased on the Takatsuki-class FRAM refit under the precedent 53rd Interim Plan. The bridge structure was enlarged, the area around the mast and hangar ceiling deck used to the maximum extent. They alerady had reach stability limits.

The refit comprised the installation of the following:

OYQ-6/7 Tactical Information Processing System

JDS Haruna received the OYQ-6-2, Hiei the OYQ-7B-2, quasi-identical to the one fitted on the Asagiri-class destroyers (Project 58DD) with support for tactical data link 11 in transmission-reception to enhance fleet operational capabilities as a centerpiece of an ASW flotilla.

Radar/Electronic Warfare Replacements

The air search radar became the OPS-11C. The surface search radar became the OPS-28.
The electronic warfare equipment was upgraded from the NOLR-5 radar to the NOLQ-1 radar jamming system, the new standard on DDG and DDH. The OLR-9B missile warning system and Mk 36 SRBOC were also installed as a trusted main soft-kill system.

Enhanced air defense capabilities

Now for active or “hard-kill” protection, two 20mm Phalanx CIWS autocannon were installed close to the upper bridge structure (see above), plus the planned Sea Sparrow launcher installed on the hangar roof as short-range surface-to-air missile. Standard displacement for Haruna rse by 250 tons, Hiei by 350 tons but top speed remained 31 knots. They were done FY1983 for weapons, FY1984 for the hull and engines (entirely overhauled) with a budget of 9.1 billion yen. On Hiei this was FY1984 for weapons FY1985 for the hull and engines and for 11 billion yen.

DDH 141 On shipbucket, post FRAM appearance

⚙ specs. Haruna class as completed
Displacement	4,950 long tons standard, 6,900 long tons full load
Dimensions	153.1 x 17.5 x 5.2mm (502 ft x 57 ft 5 in x 17 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	2 shafts turbines, 2 boilers: 60,000 hp (45,000 kW)
Speed	31 knots (36 mph; 57 km/h)
Range	Unknown
Armament	Sea Sparrow SAM, ASROC, 2× 5″/54, 2× 20 mm Phalanx CIWS, 2×3 Mk 32 TTs
Air group	3× SH-60J(K) ASW helicopters
Sensors	OPS-11, OPS-17, FCS-1A, OQS-3 sonar, NOLR-5 ECM, OYQ-3 CCS
Crew	360-370

The Haruna class in service

JDS Haruna was initially operated under command of the 1st Escort Flotilla. By November 1971, JDS Hiei was commissioned, so both integrated in the newly created 51st Escort Division. Then, the 121st Air Squadron was formed, within the 21st Air Group, a “carrier-based” aircraft unit flying with the HSS-2A. The 1st Escort Flotilla thus made the intended 8-ship, 6-aircraft system. With the later commissioning of the Shirane-class DDH, both were reassigned to the 2nd Escort Flotilla in 1981. They then formed the 52nd Escort Division. By then the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force had two ASW combat groups, the 1st and 2nd Escort Flotillas, each with an 8-ship, 6-aircraft system.

However, with the adoption of a new tactical unit configuration of eight ships, eight aircraft, the four Haruna and Shirane were dispersed to four separate escort flotillas, each as flagship. They were later disbanded and by 1983, Haruna and Kurama became subordinate of the 2nd Escort Flotilla. Hiei with Shirane were subordinate of the 1st Escort Flotilla. In 1984, Haruna became flagship of the 3rd Escort Flotilla, Hiei of the 4th. On December 14, 2007, a fire on Shirane at Yokosuka necessitated a lot of work and full replacement of Shirane’s command and communication system. However due to budget restrictions, it was decided not to decommission but to repaired her parts from Haruna and the latter retired as planned. By March 16, 2011, Hiei was decommissioned in turn, making for a 38 years of operation, a very long service time by modern standards showing the validity of her concept.

JDS Haruna DDH-141 (1972)

DDH-141 Haruna was laid down at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries NyD on 19 March 1970 (Nagazaki), launched on 1 February 1972 and commissioned on 22 February 1973, HP Maizuru. She was registered as the destroyer No. 2401 under the 1968, 3rd Defense Force Development Plan, assigned to the 1st Escort Flotilla and stationed in Yokosuka. With the incident involving the 10th Yuyo Maru on November 9, 1974 Haruna became flagship of a disposal unit, dispatched to prevent secondary disasters caused by the explosion of propane. On November 26, with DDS Takatsuki, Mochizuki, and Yukikaze, Haruna was sent to the disposal site.

On the 27-28th, she carried out operations to scuttle by gunfire the burning Yuyo Maru. On November 27, she integegrated the newly formed 51st Escort Squadron, 1st Escort Flotilla with her sister Hiei. By July 1975, she took part in a joint US-Japan ASW training south of Honshu, with her sister and Akizuki, with the submarines Makishio and Narushio as targets.
From July 3 to August 17, 1978, she trained with her sister in Hawaii and the submarine Kuroshio, plus eight P-2J aircraft from Japan, based at Hickham.

On March 27, 1981, the 52nd Escort Squadron was formed under the 2nd Escort Flotilla, with the DDH Kurama (sister of Shirane) entering service and the home port transferred to Sasebo. From November 2 to December 2, 1982, she was again training in Hawaii with Shirane, Asakaze and eight P-2J aircraft. On March 30, 1983, the 52nd Escort Squadron was disbanded. She was placed under direct command of the 2nd Escort Flotilla. By March 30, 1984, she integrated the 3rd Escort Flotilla as flagship. From March 1986, she went into drydock at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki, for her FRAM overhaul and modernization, extensding her useful life for about eight years when completed on October 31, 1987. She returned as flagship of the 3rd Escort Flotilla. From June 16 to September 6, 1989, she sailed to the US with Shimakaze and Mineyuki to take part in US-Japan joint exercise READIEX 89-4A.

In 1990, Haruna took parft in the “Rim of the Pacific” 1990 Exercise (RIMPAC 1990). From June 15 to September 5, 1995, she took part with the USN in training with Sawakaze and three P-3C patorl aircraft. From June 9 to September 3, 1997, she trained with the US with the DDs Hamagiri and Myoko (brand new Arleigh-Burke level destroyers with an AEGIS like system and AESA radar) plus five P-3C aircraft. On March 20, 1998, her home port became Maizuru until the end of her career. On October 13 she took part in an International Fleet Review in Korea, commemorating the country’s 50th anniversary in Busan. She came with Setogiri and Myoko. On February 18, 1999, while anchored in Maizuru two live rounds were accidentally fired during a firing circuit test by the 20mm autocannon CIWS. The rounds made no viuctims and buried themselves in a building at Aobayama, east of the port.

On March 24 of 1999 after a suspicious vessel was reported off the Noto Peninsula, a maritime security operation was ordered, and she was deployed with Myoko and Abukuma to contact and fire warning shots at the vessel, suspected to be an illegal fishing ship. On February 12, 2002, a new Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law was applied authorizing the use of the Navy for such missions. She was thus sent to the Indian Ocean with Sawakaze and the supply ship JDS Tokiwa, and served there until June, returning hime by August. On July 15, 2003, she was sent again with Asagiri and the supply ship JDS Towada, remaining until October, back to Japan by November.
In 2004, she participated in RIMPAC 2004. On August 21, 2007, she sailed for a goodwill visit to the Russian Pacific Fleet base, Vladivostok and took part in a ceremony held at Golden Horn Bay. By March 26, 2008, she entered her last unit, the 3rd Escort Division, 3rd Escort Flotilla after a reorganization and took part also to RIMPAC 2008. By March 18, 2009, she was decommissioned. By then she had crossed 959,652.1 miles, that 48 globe circumnavigations (or 2.3 round trips to the Moon). Her deck saw 55,013 landings and 21,927 flight hours for her air group.

JDS Hiei DDH-142 (1973)

DDH-142 Hiei was laid down at Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) Tokyo, in No. 2 Plant on 8 March 1972. She as the destroyer No. 2402, under the 1970 plan, based on the 3rd Defense Force Development Plan. She was launched on 13 August 1973 and completed on 27 November 1974, commissioned the same day, incorporated into the newly formed 51st Destroyer Division, 1st Destroyer Flotilla with her sister Haruna, based in Yokosuka. From July 3 to August 17, 1978 she trained with US forces in Hawaii along with her sister Haruna and the submarine Kuroshio plus eight P-2J aircraft. From January 25, 1980, she took part in RIMPAC 80, from February 26 to March 18 with Amatsukaze and eight P-2J aircraft. This was Japan’s first participation in that exercise. She wa sback home on April 2. On March 30, 1983, her unit was disbanded so she ended directly under command of the 1st Escort Flotilla. On March 30, 1984, she joined the 4th Escort Flotilla as flagship.

From August 31, 1987, to March 13, 1989, she entered the drydoc at IHI for her own FRAM modernization overhaul. On March 2, 1995, she followed the 4th Escort Flotilla Headquarters transfer to Kure. In 1996, she took part in RIMPAC ’96. From May 11 to August 12, 1999, she took part in a join US-Japan exercise with Myoko and Amagiri.
From September 1 to 11, 2000, she took part in a rare Japan-Russia joint search and rescue exercise off Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with JDS Hamagiri. From May 16 to August 3, 2001, she took part in a joint US exercise with Chokai and Samidare. On September 17, 2002, due to the new anti-terrorist law, she was requisition and sent to the Indian Ocean with Samidare for Anti-Terrorist patrols until December ad back home by January 26, 2003. On October 28, 2003 she made the same mission with Akebono and Tokiwa until January 2004 and back on March 3.

On 6-10 June 2005, she visited Vladivostok followed by a joint search and rescue exercise off Vladivostok.
She she took part in RIMPAC 2006 and by March 26, 2008, intehrated the 4th Destroyer Division, 4th Destroyer Flotilla. By July 23-27, 2010, she took part in te SAR exercise SAREX off Vladivostok, along with JDS Jintsu. On March 16, 2011, she was decommissioned after being based in Kure with the 4th Escort Division of the 4th Escort Flotilla, and a service of 36 years and 3 months, the longest of any Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel. Her mileage corresponded to about 44 times around the Earth and 79,000 flight hours.