Isuzu-class destroyer escort

JS Isuzu
Class overview
Name	Isuzu class
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by	Ikazuchi class
Succeeded by	Chikugo class
In commission	1961–1993
Completed	4
Retired	4
General characteristics
Type	Destroyer escort
Displacement	1,490 long tons (1,514 t) standard 1,700 long tons (1,727 t) full load
Length	94.0 m (308 ft 5 in)
Beam	10.2 m (33 ft 6 in)
Draught	3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
Depth	7.0 m (23 ft 0 in)
Propulsion	Diesel engines, 2 shafts
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Complement	183
Sensors and processing systems	Mark 63 fire-control system
Armament	4 × 3 in/50 cal. Mk.22 guns (Type 57) 1 × Y-gun depth charge throwers 1 × depth charge rack 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes Earlier batch (DE-211, 212) 1 × Mk.108 ASW rocket launcher 2 × Mk.2 ASW torpedo racks Latter batch (DE-213, 214) 1 × Bofors M/50 375 mm ASW rocket launcher 2 × Type 68 triple 324 mm torpedo tubes

The Isuzu-class destroyer escorts were four destroyer escorts (or frigates) built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in the early 1960s. The latter two (Kitakami and Ōi) were quite different from the earlier two vessels in their propulsion and weaponry, so sometimes they were classified as the "Kitakami class".

This class was the first JMSDF surface combatant adopted shelter-deck design. Propulsion systems varied in each vessels because the JMSDF tried to find the best way in the propulsion systems of future DEs. The design concept of this class and the CODAD propulsion system of the Kitakami class became prototype of them of the latter DEs and DDKs such as Chikugo class and Yamagumo class.^[1][2]

The gun system was a scale-down version of the Ayanami class, four 3-inch/50-caliber Mark 22 guns with two Mark 33 dual mounts controlled by a Mark 63 GFCS.^[3] Main air-search radar was a OPS-2, Japanese variant of the American AN/SPS-12.^[4]

In the earlier batch, the main anti-submarine warfare (ASW) armament was a Mk.108 Weapon Alpha. The JMSDF desired this American brand-new ASW rocket launcher earnestly, but then, it became clear that it was not as good as it was supposed to be. So in the latter batch, it was changed with a M/50, Swedish 375 mm quadruple ASW rocket launcher. Later, the Weapon Alpha of the earlier batch was also replaced by a Type 71, Japanese version of the M/50.^[5]

• Media related to Isuzu class frigates at Wikimedia Commons