Aoshima 04597 J.M.S.D.F. DD KIRISAME

The Kirisame (DD-104) is a modern Japanese missile destroyer, the keel of which was laid in 1996, launched in August 1997, and commissioned in March 1999. The total length of the ship is 151 meters and 17.4 meters wide. Full displacement is about 6,200 tons, and the maximum speed is around 30 knots. The destroyer's armament includes: a single 76 mm gun, two 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx CIWS sets, two VLS Mk.41 and Mk.48 16-rail launchers, and two triple torpedo tubes. The ship has a single Mitsubishi SH-60 helicopter.

Kirisame (DD-104) is the fourth of a total of nine Murasame-class destroyers built. Units of this type have been designed and constructed primarily in terms of ZOP (anti-submarine combat) activities and countering surface targets. The Murasame-class destroyers arose as successors to the Asagiri-class. Compared to their predecessors, they have several significant improvements. First of all, they used some of the achievements of stealth technology - especially in the construction of superstructures. Murasame-class ships also have much more modern electronic equipment (especially radars) and missile weapons located in vertical VLS launchers. A new AN / SQQ-89 sonar has also been implemented. Currently, Murasame Kirisame (DD-104) is in active service with Sasebo being his home base.