The Cold War Murasame class occupied an interval between Ayanami construction batches while remaining roughly the same size. Its propulsion followed the earlier Harukaze arrangement. Three 5-inch/54 guns restored heavier gunfire, with 3-inch/50 weapons also carried. ASW torpedo racks, Hedgehog, depth-charge throwers, and depth-charge racks supported submarine-hunting and escort duties. The large anti-ship torpedo tubes were omitted. This produced a flotilla escort with a different armament balance from Ayanami.
Notable Point · 16:01-17:55
Murasame restores heavier guns for flotilla escort work
Murasame filled a construction interval with heavier guns and an ASW escort fit that omitted Ayanami's large anti-ship torpedo tubes.