Tag Archives: FFM

Navy

Fourth Mogami-Class Frigate

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems Co., Ltd. held a delivery ceremony and a «self-defense ship flag raising ceremony» on March 7, 2023 for the ‘Mikuma’. The event means the ship, the fourth Mogami-class FFM, was officially commissioned with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

JS Mikuma (FFM-4)
Japan Commissions Fourth Mogami-Class Frigate JS Mikuma (FFM-4)

JS Mikuma (FFM-4) named after the Mikuma River (Mikuma-gawa) located in Oita Prefecture was launched by local shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki on 10 December 2021.

The FFM (also known as 30FFM and previously known as 30DX) is the next generation multi-mission frigate designed for the JMSDF. A total number of 22 Frigates are expected to be procured for the JMSDF.

The two shipyards in charge of building the first two frigates of the class are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki and Mitsui E&S in Okayama.

 

Mogami-class FFM

According to MHI, the FFM multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, with a length of 132.5 meters/435 feet and a beam of 16.3 meters/53.5 feet. It will have a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots/34.5 mph/55.5 km/h. The crew complement will be quite low, at about 90 sailors, indicating a high level of automation on board.

The FFM will be equipped with a wide variety of weapons and systems as listed below:

  • BAE Systems Mk.45 mod.4 5-inch/127-mm naval gun system ×1;
  • Japan Steel Works 12.7-mm Remote Weapon System ×2;
  • 41 VLS;
  • Raytheon SeaRAM ×1;
  • MHI Type 17 anti-ship missiles ×8;
  • Mitsubishi Electric OPY-2 multifunction Radar;
  • Mitsubishi Electric OAX-3 Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensors;
  • Hitachi OQQ-11 anti-mine sonar;
  • NEC OQQ-25 anti-submarine sonar (Variable Depth Sonar/Towed Array Sonar Systems – VDS/TASS);
  • UUV (OZZ-5 by MHI) and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for mine counter measures;
  • Sea mines for offensive mine warfare.

 

Funding for the installation of Mk.41 VLS

Initially, the Mogami-class was only «Fitted For But Not With» (FFBNW) Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). This changed at the end of 2021: in late November, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the supplementary budget for FY2021, which included a budget for two VLSs sets for FFM ships. Two FFM frigates will get 16 cells each (allowing for a total of 32 quad-parcked ESSM each). The total supplementary budget is about $6.8 billion, of which about $74 million is for the purchase of the VLS shipsets. Originally, the FFM 9 and 10 specified in the defense budget request for FY2022 included a budget for VLS. Therefore the VLS specified in this supplemental budget is for installation on any of the FFM ships 1 through 8.

Navy

Noshiro

According to Naval News, on December 15, 2022, the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces (JMSDF) commissioned the third Mogami-class frigate, JS Noshiro (FFM-3), with a ceremony held at Nagasaki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

JS Noshiro (FFM-3)
JMSDF Commissions 3rd Mogami-Class Frigate JS Noshiro (FFM-3)

During the ceremony, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries flag was lowered and the JMSDF flag was raised. JS Noshiro‘s (FFM-3) keel was laid on July 15, 2020, and launched on June 22, 2021. The frigate is commissioned ten months after its launching.

JS Noshiro (FFM-3) takes its name from the Japanese river Noshiro, she shares her name with a World War II light cruiser and a Cold War destroyer escort.

The FFM (also known as 30FFM and previously known as 30DX) is the next generation multi-mission frigate designed for the JMSDF. A total number of 22 Frigates are expected to be procured for the JMSDF.

The two shipyards in charge of building the first two frigates of the class are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki and Mitsui E&S in Okayama.

According to MHI, the Mogami-class multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, with a length of 132.5 meters/434.7 feet and a beam of 16.3 meters/53.5 feet. It will have a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots/34.5 mph/55.5 km/h. The crew complement will be quite low, at about 90 sailors, indicating a high level of automation on board.

Initially, the Mogami-class was only «fitted for but not with» (FFBNW) Mk. 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). This changed at the end of 2021: According to Japan-based contributor, Yoshihiro Inaba, in late November, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the supplementary budget for FY2021, which included a budget for two VLSs sets for FFM ships. Two FFM frigates will get 16 cells each (allowing for a total of 32 quad-parcked ESSM each). The total supplementary budget is about $6.8 billion, of which about $74 million is for the purchase of the VLS shipsets. Originally, the FFM 9 and 10 specified in the defense budget request for FY2022 included a budget for VLS. Therefore, the VLS specified in this supplemental budget is for installation on any of the FFM ships 1 through 8.

The FFM will be equipped with a wide variety of weapons and systems as listed below.

  • BAE Systems Mk.45 mod.4 5-inch/127-mm naval gun system ×1
  • Japan Steel Works 12.7-mm Remote Weapon System ×2
  • 41 VLS
  • Raytheon SeaRAM ×1
  • MHI Type 17 anti-ship missiles ×8
  • Mitsubishi Electric OPY-2 multifunction Radar
  • Mitsubishi Electric OAX-3 Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensors
  • Hitachi OQQ-11 anti-mine sonar
  • NEC OQQ-25 anti-submarine sonar (VDS/TASS – Variable Depth Sonar/Towed Array Sonar System)
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (OZZ-5 by MHI) and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (unknown type) for mine counter measures
  • Sea mines for offensive mine warfare

 

Navy

After the Yahagi River

According to Naval News, Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki launched on June 23, 2022 JS Yahagi (FFM-5), the fifth Mogami-class vessel. Also known as FFM, it is a next generation frigate for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

JS Yahagi (FFM-5)
The newest FFM was named Yahagi

The first ship-in-class, JS Mogami (FFM-1), was launched in March 2021 by MHI and commissioned with the JMSDF in April this year. Another shipyard, Mitsui E & S Shipbuilding located in Okayama launched the second ship of the class, JS Kumano (FFM-2), back in November 2020. The third vessel in the series, JS Noshiro (FFM-3), was launched by MHI in June 2021 while the fourth FFM, JS Mikuma (FFM-4), was launched by the same shipyard in December 2021.

The vessel is named after the Yahagi River (矢作川, Yahagi-gawa) which flows through Nagano, Gifu and Aichi prefectures. All ships of the class are named after famous rivers in Japan. The shipyard will now proceed to the fitting out stage of the frigate, ahead of its delivery and commissioning set for the end of 2023.

 

Mogami-class FFM characteristics

According to MHI, the FFM multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, with a length of 132.5 meters/434.7 feet and a beam of 16.3 meters/53.5 feet. It will have a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots/34.5 mph/55.5 km/h. The crew complement will be quite low, at about 90 sailors, indicating a high level of automation on board.

The FFM will be equipped with a wide variety of weapons and systems as listed below:

  • BAE Systems Mk.45 mod.4 5-inch/127-mm naval gun system ×1
  • Japan Steel Works 12.7-mm Remote Weapon System ×2
  • 41 VLS
  • Raytheon SeaRAM ×1
  • MHI Type 17 anti-ship missiles ×8
  • Mitsubishi Electric OPY-2 multifunction Radar
  • Mitsubishi Electric OAX-3 Electro-Optical and InfraRed (EO/IR) sensors
  • Hitachi OQQ-11 anti-mine sonar
  • NEC OQQ-25 anti-submarine sonar (Variable Depth Sonar, VDS/Towed Array Sensor System, TASS)
  • UUV (OZZ-5 by MHI) and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) unknown type for mine counter measures
  • Sea mines for offensive mine warfare

 

Funding for the installation of Mk.41 VLS

Initially, the Mogami-class was only «fitted for but not with» (FFBNW) Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). This changed at the end of 2021: in late November, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the supplementary budget for FY2021, which included a budget for two VLSs sets for FFM ships. Two FFM frigates will get 16 cells each (allowing for a total of 32 quad-packed ESSM each). The total supplementary budget is about $6.8 billion, of which about $74 million is for the purchase of the VLS shipsets. Originally, the FFM 9 and 10 specified in the defense budget request for FY2022 included a budget for VLS. Therefore, the VLS specified in this supplemental budget is for installation on any of the FFM ships 1 through 8.

Navy

First-In-Class

According to Naval News, Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems Co., Ltd. held a delivery ceremony and a self-defense ship flag raising ceremony for the first-in-class frigate JS Mogami (FFM-1) (もがみ). The event took place on 28 April 2022 at the MHI shipyard in Nagasaki. The first of the FFM frigates is now officially commissioned with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

JS Mogami (FFM-1)
The commissioning ceremony for the first-in-class FFM Frigate JS Mogami (FFM-1) (JMSDF picture)

Right after the ceremony, Mogami set sail for its home port: Yokosuka Naval Base, as part of the Mine Warfare Force.

The vessel is named after the Mogami River (最上川, Mogami-gawa) located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. According to the JMSDF, «The Mogami River is said to be the “Mother’s River” because it brings many blessings to people».

While JS Mogami (FFM-1) is the first-in-class ship, JS Kumano (FFM-2), the second ship of the class was commissioned first, in March 2022. This is because Mitsui E&S received a subcontracting order from MHI (the main contractor) for the construction of the 3,900-ton frigate for the JMSDF. Mogami was launched in March 2021 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki. Naval News’ Japanese contributor, Yoshihiro Inaba, attended the launch ceremony. Kumano was the first of the FFM ships to be launched, back in November 2020. She was built by local shipbuilder Mitsui E & S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd in Okayama. The third vessel in the class, JS Noshiro (FFM-3) (のしろ), was launched by MHI in Nagasaki in June 2021. The fourth FFM, JS Mikuma (FFM-4) (みくま), was launched by MHI in December 2021.

The Mogami-class/30FFM (also known as FFM and previously known as 30DX) is the next generation multi-mission frigate designed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). A total number of 22 Frigates are expected to be procured for the JMSDF.

The two shipyards in charge of building the frigates of the class are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki and Mitsui E&S in Okayama. MHI is acting as prime contractor for the program.

Initially, the Mogami-class was only «Fitted For But Not With» (FFBNW) Mk-41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). This changed at the end of 2021: According to our Japan-based contributor, Yoshihiro Inaba, In late November, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the supplementary budget for FY2021, which included a budget for two VLSs sets for FFM ships. Two FFM frigates will get 16 cells each (allowing for a total of 32 quad-parcked ESSM each). The total supplementary budget is about $6.8 billion, of which about $74 million is for the purchase of the VLS shipsets. Originally, the FFM 9 and 10 specified in the defense budget request for FY2022 included a budget for VLS. Therefore, the VLS specified in this supplemental budget is for installation on any of the FFM ships 1 through 8.

Navy

Fourth FFM Frigate

According to Naval News, Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki launched on December 10, 2021 JS Mikuma (FFM-4), the fourth Mogami-class vessel. Also known as FFM, it is a next generation frigate for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

JS Mikuma (FFM-4)
Launch ceremony of the fourth Mogami-class frigate JS Mikuma (FFM-4) (JMSDF picture)

The first ship-in-class, JS Mogami (FFM-1), was launched in March 2021 by MHI while another shipyard, Mitsui E & S Shipbuilding located in Okayama launched the second ship of the class, JS Kumano (FFM-2), back in November 2020. The third vessel in the series, JS Noshiro (FFM-3), was launched by MHI in June 2021.

The vessel is named after the Mikuma River (Mikuma-gawa) located in Oita Prefecture, Kyusu. All ships of the class are named after famous rivers in Japan. The shipyard will now proceed to the fitting out stage of the frigate, ahead of its delivery and commissioning set for end of 2022/beginning of 2023.

The FFM (also known as 30FFM and previously known as 30DX) is the next generation multi-mission frigate designed for the JMSDF. A total number of 22 Frigates are expected to be procured for the JMSDF.

The two shipyards in charge of building the first two frigates of the class are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki and Mitsui E&S in Okayama.

 

Mogami-class FFM characteristics

According to MHI, the FFM multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, with a length of 132.5 meters/434.7 feet and a beam of 16.3 meters/53.5 feet. It will have a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots/34.5 mph/55.5 km/h. The crew complement will be quite low, at about 90 sailors, indicating a high level of automation on board.

The FFM will be equipped with a wide variety of weapons and systems as listed below:

  • BAE Systems Mk.45 mod.4 5-inch/127-mm naval gun system ×1
  • Japan Steel Works 12.7-mm Remote Weapon System ×2
  • 41 VLS
  • Raytheon SeaRAM ×1
  • MHI Type 17 anti-ship missiles ×8
  • Mitsubishi Electric OPY-2 multifunction Radar
  • Mitsubishi Electric OAX-3 Electro-Optical and InfraRed (EO/IR) sensors
  • Hitachi OQQ-11 anti-mine sonar
  • NEC OQQ-25 anti-submarine sonar (Variable Depth Sonar, VDS/Towed Array Sensor System, TASS)
  • UUV (OZZ-5 by MHI) and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) unknown type for mine counter measures
  • Sea mines for offensive mine warfare

 

Funding for the installation of Mk.41 VLS

Initially, the Mogami-class was only «fitted for but not with» (FFBNW) Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). This changed at the end of 2021: in late November, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the supplementary budget for FY2021, which included a budget for two VLSs sets for FFM ships. Two FFM frigates will get 16 cells each (allowing for a total of 32 quad-packed ESSM each). The total supplementary budget is about $6.8 billion, of which about $74 million is for the purchase of the VLS shipsets. Originally, the FFM 9 and 10 specified in the defense budget request for FY2022 included a budget for VLS. Therefore, the VLS specified in this supplemental budget is for installation on any of the FFM ships 1 through 8.