Kitsune-class destroyer

TNS Kitsune (DDV-127) in 2019
Class overview
Builders:	Yotota Shipbuilding Co.
Operators:	UST Navy Imperial Taoist Navy
Preceded by:	Ein-class
Planned:	8
Building:	3
Completed:	5
Active:	4
General characteristics
Type:	General-purpose destroyer
Displacement:	5,000 tons normal 6,800 tons full load
Length:	150.5 m (494 ft)
Beam:	18.3 m (60 ft)
Draft:	5.3 m (17 ft)
Propulsion:	4 x Yotota Heavy Industries gas turbines
Speed:	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement:	200 enlisted and officers
Armament:	1 × 5 inch (127mm/Y28) naval gun 2 x Sūkikyō CIWS 2 × Missile canister up to 8 Type 99 (ship to ship missile) 2 × triple 325mm torpedo tubes 1 x 32-cell VLS (anti air, and submarine)
Aircraft carried:	Up to 1 helicopter

The Kitsune-class destroyer is a class of general purpose destroyers constructed for the United States of the Tao Navy (USTN), and operated by the Imperial Taoist Navy (ITN). This is currently the most modern destroyer to be built under the USTNs "next-gen" naval plan.

Development

In 1983 the USTN began planning for a major rebuild and retool of their fleet, the project would take full advantage of some of the most modern technologies and implement them into a "next-generation" of vessels. The Kitsune class is the latest and most technologically advanced general purpose destroyer in service with the ITN fleet.

This class of ships has its roots in the Suzume class. Though the Kitsune class is not based on the Suzume class as much as the Ein class, it does share many elements designs with the Suzume-class destroyers

There have been many made changes to the Kitsune class compared to their older counterparts. Visually, the hull is very similar, but has been made a considerable amount larger; meanwhile most of the superstructure has a very different appearance, particularly the bridge and the conning tower.

The engines have transitioned from Ein Heavy Industries gas turbines to Yotota Heavy Industries gas turbines. Though each company's engines produce similar amounts of power, the more modern Yotota turbines are slightly more fuel-efficient.

The main upgrade to the Kitsune class over its predecessors is the electronic systems, it sports a whole new generation of fire control systems, radar, sonar, and command modules. Further details on these are still unknown, as they are currently classified.

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Homeport
Imperial Taoist Navy
DDV-127	Kitsune	10 January 2012	2 April 2013	11 September 2014	Aoba
DDV-128	Jakkaru	7 June 2012	24 September 2013	6 February 2015	Firentsu
DDV-129	Koyōte	13 August 2012	30 October 2013	10 March 2015	Aoba
DDV-130	Inu	29 October 2012	11 February 2013	15 July 2015	Firentsu
DDV-131	Haiena	7 November 2017	3 February 2019	Scheduled for July 2020
DDV-132	Kuma	10 March 2018	19 June 2019	Scheduled for November 2020
DDV-133	Panda	4 June 2018	Scheduled for September 2019	Scheduled for February 2021
DDV-134	Urushinae	6 September 2018	Scheduled for December 2019	Scheduled for May 2021