Posted on 05/27/2007 10:19:05 PM PDT by Jeff Head
On Friday, May 25th, 2007, the Republic of South Korea reached a major milestone in its military and defense progress.
The first Korean Destroyer Experimental III vessel (KDX-3) was launched on that date. The new vessel, named the Sejong the Great, DDG 991, is a full AEGIS capable vessel employing the same AN/SPY-1D system as the US Navy Areligh Burke class destroyers, and also utilizing the same AN/SQQ-89 submarine warfare suite.
But the vessels are also much more heavily armed than their American counterparts, with an 80 cell VLS grouping forward dedicated to SM-2 missiles, and a 48 cell VLS grouping aft carrying 32 land attack cruise missiles and 16 ASROC anti-submarine missiles. In addition, the vessel carries 16 anti-shipping missiles very similar to harpoon missiles, a rolling air frame (RAM) missile launcher with 21 short range anti-missile and anti-air missiles, and a 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS for more close in protection. Finally, the vessel carries 32 light weight topredoes and carries two anti-submarine helicopters in its hangars.
These vessels, when upgraded with TBM capabilities will allow the South Korean government to protect their interests and people against attack by rogue states, and help maitain the balance of power in the Western Pacific. The South Koreans have firm plans to build two more of these vessels, with a potential for three more, which would total six vessels in all.
Pictures of the launch and the dignitaries attending follow (click on each pic for a larger pciture)
First Lady of Korea christens the ship, while Naval envoys from the Unitest States, the United Kingdon, and Japan (and others) attend.
For detailed information about the Sejong Class DDGs (or other AEGIS or AEGIS-like vessels), please refer to the following site:
Republic of Korea Sejong the great CLASS AEGIS DDG
You can compare the layout of all AEGIS and AEGIS-like vessels.
Basically, the layout is similar. 90 VLS cells on an Arleigh Burke Flight IIA capable of a mix of SM-2/3s, ESSMs, ASROCs, and LACM, two helos, and six light weight topredoes. The Ticonderoga cruisers are more heavily armed...but still not as heavily as this new Korean vessel.
Right at a billion US for the single vessel. And I agree...it really should be classified a cruiser.
Thanks, on the list here at FR, I did leave out the 127mm (5 inch) gun. It has one five inch gun. Sorry...on the site that this references it clearly points that out. My bad.
Thanks, on the list here at FR, I did leave out the 127mm (5 inch) gun. It has one five inch gun. Sorry...on the site that this references it clearly points that out. My bad.
96 VLS cells, no harpoons, no CIWS (replaced by 4-6 ESSM quad packs in the VLS tubes after DDG 84), the five inch guns, the 6 MK-46 torpedoes, and of course, the main reason for the new design, two SH-60 helos housed in the hangars that were built into the new vessels.
Clearly, the ROKN intends more than coastal duties. These vessels will be out on the high seas...either helping conduct allied missions in the WOT and elsewhere, humanitatiran, showing the flag, and protecting Korean interests wherever their government feels those interests lie.
No doubt, the will also be used for TBM duties at some point, protecting against the likes of the North Koreans.
Kimmie is either going to announce building his own midget ship or launch a few dozen missiles AGAIN!
Personally I hope the AEGIS “destroyer” is moved into a position to shoot down those missiles.
Years ago, when I attended Surface Warfare Officer’s (SWO) I built a very nice IIRC Fletcher Class destroyer (WWII). This machine was a veritable porcupine of weapons, obviously from lessons learned earlier in the war.
Upon reporting to my first ship I discovered that we had a single gun, a standard ASROC launcher and that was it!!!
I have always thought that had the bubble gone up, we would have learned a lesson that had been forgotten with the model I built.
Jeff, if that's the case, I'm still wondering where they came up with all the extra space. Perhaps they converted the berthing spaces into sardine cans.
I have a detail page up on my AEGIS VESSELS OF THE WORLD Site for each vessel. Here's the link for the one on the Sejong:
It really is an impressive vessel.
Thanks, I will check it out.
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