The armament fit of the warship is led by a 90-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) comprised of a 29-cell section at the forecastle and a 61-cell section towards the stern. These are cleared to fire the SM-2MR (RIM-66 Standard), SM-3 and RUM-139 series missiles. The SM-2MR is an anti-aircraft weapon while the SM-3 is an anti-ballistic missile weapon. The RUM-139 carries the acronym of "ASROC", detailed as "Anti-Submarine ROCket". Kongo is also outfitted with a pair of RGM-84 "Harpoon" Anti-Ship Missile (ASM) launchers near midships. Beyond this missile weaponry are the more conventionally-minded 5" (127mm) /54 caliber OTO-Breda turreted deck gun (over the forecastle) and 2 x 20mm Phalanx digital Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs).
Sensors and processing systems include the RCA AN/SPY-1D, 3D system, the JRC OPS-28D surface search radar, the NEC OQS-102 (SQS-53B/C) series bow-mounted sonar unit and the Melco NOLQ-2 intercept/jammer system. The passive towed sonar array is the Oki OQR-2 TACTASS. The JRC OPS-20 is used for navigation.
Her profile features a forward bridge superstructure (slab-sided for stealth) and a lattice-style main mast towering over the vessel. Smoke funnels are divided between two low-profile, fully-enclosed structures near midships. The aft funnels are integrated with the aft superstructure. The stern section has a helipad that supports the launching and retrieval of a helicopter - typically the American Sikorsky SH-60K series. This aircraft also provides the vessel with an "over-the-horizon" view and carries its own anti-ship/anti-submarine capabilities.
One of the more notable traits of JDS Kongo is her being the first warship outside of the United States to feature the advanced "AEGIS" Ballistic Missile Defense System, giving protection against incoming missile threats. The system works in conjunction with the intercept missiles carried by the ship as well as the AN/SPY-1 radar fit. The SM-2 and SM-3 missile family are both designed to take advantage of the AEGIS system to varying degrees and a first-test (successful) of the arrangement was had in December of 2007.
On August 3rd, 2016, regional neighbor North Korea tested a new missile weapon that landed within 600 miles of Japan catching Japanese authorities somewhat off guard. As only three AEGIS-equipped destroyers can be deployed by the Japanese Navy at any one time, this makes the Kongo a very special, and utterly important, warship in today's testy environment. At least three of her class would be needed to provide maximum protection for the Japanese mainland from a large scale North Korean missile attack.
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