Amatsukaze concentrated Japan's procurement and technology ambitions in one ship. The initial investment addressed the highest risks, with later upgrades working through the remaining risks as funding allowed. The flexible baseline carried RIM-24B Improved Tartar and four 3-inch/50 guns in two twin mounts, with Hedgehog and ASW torpedo racks. Later changes replaced the racks with Mark 32 triple tubes and added an octuple ASROC launcher, RIM-66 Standard Missile 1, and AN/SPS-52 radar in place of AN/SPS-39. Missile equipment and electrical demand pushed the hull above 4,000 tons. Japan avoided the politically charged guided-missile-destroyer label even as the ship demonstrated a major increase in capability. The design's capacity for upgrades let a useful ship enter service before every desired system could be afforded.
Notable Point · 24:23-32:59
Amatsukaze makes the missile-destroyer leap
Amatsukaze's spiral procurement addressed the highest risks first and added weapons and sensors through later upgrades.