FCS-3

FCS-3A on board JS Akizuki

FCS-3 is an integrated naval weapons system developed by the Japanese Defense Ministry for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

This system is composed of weapon-direction and fire-control subsystem and a multi-function radar subsystem. The multi-function radar subsystem adopted active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, and there are two sets of antennas: the larger one is a C-band radar for surveillance and tracking, the smaller one is an X-band radar as a fire-control radar.^[1]

After a prolonged sea trial on board JS Asuka, this system was introduced in 2007 on the JS Hyūga (DDH-181). The enhanced version, FCS-3A, was employed on the Akizuki-class destroyers.,^[2] and limited-function version, OPS-50, was also delivered for the Izumo-class helicopter destroyers. The fire-control function are omitted in the OPS-50 system, so they have only one set of antennas operating C-band.^[3]

The Asahi-class destroyer features an FCS-3A radar that uses Gallium nitride technology to improve its performance.^[4]

References

1. Makoto Yamazaki (October 2011). "Combat systems of modern Japanese destroyers". Ships of the World (748). Kaijin-sha: 98–107.
2. 19DD Akizuki Class Destroyers, Japan
3. Izumo-Class Helicopter Carrier DDH-183
4. "First JMSDF 25DD-class Asahi ASW Destroyer Started Sea Trials". Navy Recognition. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2019.