JS Noshiro
JS Noshiro (FFM-3) is the third ship of the Mogami-class frigates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). She was named after the Noshiro River and shares her name with a World War II light cruiser Noshiro and Cold War destroyer escort Noshiro. Development and designIn 2015 the Japanese defense budget allocated funds to study the construction of a new "compact-type hull destroyer with additional multi-functional capabilities" as well as a new radar system for the destroyer.[1] In the same year Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) unveiled the frigate's first concept model (30FF) which they have been developing with their own funds.[2][3] The 30DX design has an overall length of 133 metres (436 ft 4 in), breadth of 16 metres (52 ft 6 in), a standard displacement of 3,900 tons with a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, and a maximum speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).[4] Weapons include a Mk 45 gun, two remote weapon stations above the bridge, 16 Mk 41 VLS at the bow, eight anti-ship missiles, one SeaRAM, an SH-60L helicopter, torpedoes, and decoy launchers. It can also deploy and recover unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and sea mines from the rear ramp beneath the helideck.[5] It is also expected to use a naval version of the Type 03 Chū-SAM.[6] Construction and careerNoshiro was laid down on 15 July 2020 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki and launched on 22 June 2021.[7][8] She was commissioned on 15 December 2022.[9] References
|