Murasame Class Destroyer Japan...

(Murasame translated literally means ‘Village Rain’ but most often translated as ‘Autumn Rain’.)
Country: Japan
Class, [Type]: Murasame, [DD].
Builder: IHI, Tokyo, Japan.
Launch date: 23 August 1994.
Commission date: 12 March 1996.

Displacement (tons): 4.400 standard, 5.100 full load.
Dimensions ( meters ): 151 x 17,4 x 5,2
Main machinery: COGAG: 2 x Kawasaki-Rolls-Royce SM-1C Spey gas turbines, 2 x G.E.-IHI LM-2500 gas turbines ( 60.000 hp ).
Speed ( knots ): 33.
Range ( miles ): 4.500 at 18 knots.
Complement: 170.

Guns: 1 x OTO Breda Compact 76mm/62, 2 x Vulcan Phalanx Mod.1 Block I Mk15 CIWS 20mm.
Missiles: SSM: 8 x SSM-1B; SAM: 1 x Mk 48 VLS ( 16 x RIM-7M Sea Sparrow ); ASW: 1 x Mk 41 VLS ( 16 x ASROC missiles ).
Torpedoes: 6 x 324mm HOS-302 tubes ( 2 x triple launchers ). Type 73 or Mk 46 Mod. 5 torpedoes.

Radar: Surface/Air Search: 1 x JRC OPS-28D; Air Search: 1 x Melco OPS-24; Navigation: 1 x JRC OPS-20; Fire Control: 2 x FCS-2-21 ( gun/SAM ), 2 x General Dynamics Mk 90 ( CIWS ).
Sonar: Mitsubishi OQS-5, bow-mounted, medium frequency; OQR-2 TASS towed passive array.
Countermeasures: Decoys: Mk 36 SRBOC; SLQ-25 Nixie towed acoustic torpedo; ECM/ESM: NOLQ-3, OPN-7B and OPN-11 ( interceptors ); OLT-3 and OLT-5 ( jammers ).
Helicopter: 1 x SH-60J.


The Murasame Class guided-missile destroyers are third-generation multi-purpose ships of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). Nine destroyers have been jointly built by the IHI Tokyo Shipyard and Marine United (MU). Murasame is preceded by the Asagiri Class destroyers and succeeded by the Takanami Class.
The Murasame Class can conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) missions and features some limited defense capabilities against airborne threats.
The keel for the lead ship in the class, Murasame (DD 101), was laid down in August 1993. It was launched in August 1994 and commissioned in March 1996. Harusame (DD 102) was laid in August 1994, launched in October 1995 and commissioned in March 1997. Yudachi (DD 103) was laid in March 1996, launched in August 1997 and commissioned in March 1999. Kirisame (DD 104) was laid in April 1996, launched in August 1997 and commissioned in March 1999.
Inazuma (DD 105) was laid in May 1997, launched in September 1998 and commissioned in March 2000. Samidare (DD 106) was laid in September 1997, launched in September 1998 and commissioned in March 2000. Ikazuchi (DD 107) was laid in February 1998, launched in June 1999 and commissioned in March 2001. Akebono (DD 108) was laid in October 1999, launched in September 2000 and commissioned in March 2002. The final ship in its class, Ariake (DD 109), was laid down in May 1999, launched in October 2000 and commissioned in March 2002.
"The tubes can launch Mk46 Mod 5 anti-submarine torpedoes."
Murasame design
The destroyer has an enlarged hull. Its stealth characteristics ensure greater survivability. The superstructure and hull are angled instead of traditional vertical surfaces.
The Murasame destroyer lacks the angled tripod main mast found on the Arleigh Burke class destroyer as it operates on the Sea of Japan under rigid winter weather conditions. Onboard systems are automated wherever possible.
Command and control
The Murasame Class is equipped with the new-generation C4I system integrating the OYQ-9 CDS (combat direction system) and the OYQ-103 ASW control system. The OYQ-9 CDS includes AN/UYK-43, AN/UYK-44 and AN/UYQ-21 workstations. The OYQ-103 and associated sub-systems are considered the Japanese equivalent to the US-made AN/SQQ-89 ASW combat system.
Murasame missiles
The Murasame Class destroyers are armed with an Mk48 VLS (vertical launching system) firing Sea Sparrow and Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles. The Mk41 VLS installed below the deck can fire RUM-139 VL ASROC (anti-submarine rockets).
The original configuration of the two VLS modules on each ship were replaced by four modules consisting of eight cells each. The Japanese made SSM-1B ship-to-ship missile onboard engages targets within a range of 150km-200km.
Naval guns
The main gun fitted forward is an Oto Melara 3 (now Oto Breda) 76mm, 62 caliber, rapid fire gun.
"The Murasame class is powered by a combined gas turbine and gas turbine propulsion system."
The gun can fire 120 rounds a minute at a range of 30km.
Two Mark 15 20mm Phalanx CIWS (close-in weapon system), one mounted at the forward of the bridge and the other over the helicopter hangar, are used for point-defense against incoming anti-ship missiles and low flying aircraft.
Torpedoes
Six 324mm, Type 68 torpedo tubes are configured in two triples. The tubes can launch Mk46 Mod 5 anti-submarine torpedoes. The Mk46 Mod 5 can strike the submarines in a water depth of 365m within an 11km range.
Sensors / radars
The sensor suite includes an OPS-24 active air search radar, OPS-20 navigation radar and OPS-28-D surface search and target acquisition radar. The vessel is also equipped with a NOLQ-3 intercept or jammer, an OQE-1 towed array sonar and an OQS-5 hull mounted sonar.
Aircraft
The Murasame Class has an aft landing deck and hangar to support the operations of a single SH-60J ASW helicopter intended for an anti-submarine patrol role. The vessels are also equipped with helicopter maintenance facilities.
Propulsion
The Murasame class is powered by a combined gas turbine and gas turbine (COGAG) propulsion system. Two General Electric LM2500 boost gas turbines and two Rolls-Royce Sprey SM1C cruise gas turbines deliver a total power output of 60,000ps. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 30kt and a range of 8,350km at a cruising speed of 18kt.

The Kit...

Trumpeter’s 1/350 scale JMSDF Murasame destroyer kit comes very nicely packaged. The box art depicts 2 destroyers in fairly calm seas. DD-101 Murasame (which the class is named after) and DD-683 (I found no reference to this hull number in the JMSDF)? One side of the box shows a top view of the deck with very nice detail art work, there is also a paragraph describing the ship. The other side of the box shows a profile of the ship (both sides), plus a profile view (both sides) of the SH-60K helicopter.
The instruction booklet (16p) shows very clear assembly instructions to include where to place to include PE. The spru’s (9 ea.) all come in their own separate plastic sleeves. Some of the things that stand out are; the clear spru, it contains the SH-60J helicopter. It is very detailed and the main blade comes in folded and deployed versions. Spru ‘C’ contains the propellers, these are wrapped in Styrofoam to protect the finish on the propellers. One of the only draw backs I noticed was the hull. The hull comes as one piece with no option for a ‘waterline build’. The deck is one piece and comes with Styrofoam wrapped around it. The deck is very detailed also, to include the helicopter landing pad. Three frets of PE is included in the kit, they include the railing and doors. Also included in with the PE is a length of black anchor chain. The decal sheet depicts the DD-101 Murasame. You also receive a large painting and marking guide.