Click to bigup
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Shirane-class destroyer JS Kurama (DDH 144) leads the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Stockdale (DDG 106) during a passing exercise while under way in the Pacific Ocean Jan. 10, 2011. Stockdale and Gridley were underway at the time with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group on a deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans, U.S. Navy/Released)
Do you notice how much beamier the two U.S. Burkes are (as Flight IIA vessels they are over 10,000-tons on a 509-foot long hull with a 66-foot beam) when compared to the Japanese ship?
The Kurama is a rather dated Shirane-class destroyer, of which just two were built in the late 70s. Just 7,500-tons full load and 522 feet long, they were big tin cans for thier day, mounting a pair of old school FMC 5″/54 caliber Mark 42 guns forward to allow room for a large helicopter deck aft that can accommodate 3-4 medium ASW helicopters. They are reported to be excellent ASW ships with an OG style ASROC launcher, bow active and towed passive sonars, and Mk.32 tubes all of which would come in handy against a DPRK or PLAN underwater threat.
Here is a profile shot from the same day, same photographer.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 10, 2011) The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Kurama (DDH-144) is underway in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)
