JDS Chikugo
JDS "Chikugo" (DE-215) was the lead ship of of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Development and design. The "Chikugo" class was designed as a modified variant of the , the preceding destroyer escort class. The main anti-submarine weapon was changed from the M/50 ASW rocket launcher to the ASROC Anti-submarine missile. The octuple launcher for ASROC was stationed at the mid-deck, and the entire ship design was prescribed by this stationing. Construction and career. "Chikugo" was laid down on 9 December 1968 at Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, Tamano, and launched on 13 January 1970. She  commissioned on 31 July 1971. On 26 August 1971, the 34th Escort Corps was newly commissioned under the Sasebo District Force, and was incorporated with commissioned on the same day. Removed from the register on 15 April 1995. Since commissioning, she consistently belonged to the Sasebo District Force for about 26 years, and had a total range of 503,405 nautical miles.