Atago-class

The Atago class consists of two guided-missile destroyers operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Developed as a modified version of the Kongō class, the vessels were built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to replace the steam-powered Tachikaze class. The class entered service with the commissioning of the Atago in 2007 and the Ashigara in 2008.

The design is a scaled-up version of the Kongō class with an extended hull. The superstructure is larger than the contemporary American Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA. A distinction from the preceding class is the addition of an enclosed hangar and facilities to support the operation of an SH-60K helicopter. The ships feature a reduced radar cross-section achieved through a Japanese-designed plain-structure mast and modified smokestacks. Propulsion utilizes four gas turbines and two shafts with controllable-pitch propellers.

The vessels utilize the Aegis Weapon System, which transitioned from Baseline 7.1 to Baseline 9C via modernization. Since 2016, the class has been equipped with an Aegis BMD system for anti-ballistic missile defense. The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System is used for surface-to-air, anti-ballistic, and anti-submarine missiles. By omitting the internal reloading crane found on previous classes, the Atago class features a higher total number of missile cells, distributed between the foredeck and afterdeck.

The main gun is an improved version of the mount used on the Kongō class, featuring an extended barrel. Surface-to-surface missile capability includes compatibility with both Harpoon and Type 90 anti-ship missiles. For underwater detection, the class employs the AN/SQQ-89 suite and AN/SQS-53C sonar, marking a shift from domestic systems to American-made components. The original domestic towed sonar was updated to the SQR-20 Multi-Function Towed Array. Electronic warfare is managed by the NOLQ-2B intercept and jammer system.

Both ships in the class are active. The Atago is stationed at Maizuru, and the Ashigara is based at Sasebo. The class was succeeded by the Maya class.