Wikipedia

Asashio-class submarine

The Asashio-class submarine is a submarine class of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force comprising four boats. This class is the successor of Ōshio. The class were the first fleet submarines constructed for post-war Japan. The first submarine was authorized as part of the 1963 shipbuilding programme. Their design improved on previous Japanese classes by being larger to obtain better seaworthiness with greater torpedo stowage. The class entered service in the late 1960s and remained as such until the mid-1980s when they were taken out of service.

Arashio alongside in Apra Harbor on 1 April 1984
Class overview
NameAsashio class
Builders
Operators Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded byŌshio class
Succeeded byUzushio class
Built1964−1969
In commission1966−1986
Planned4
Completed4
Retired4
General characteristics
TypeSubmarine
Displacement
  • 1,650 long tons (1,680 t) surfaced
  • 2,150 long tons (2,180 t) submerged
Length88 m (288 ft 9 in)
Beam8.2 m (26 ft 11 in)
Draft4.9 m (16 ft 1 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) surfaced
  • 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) submerged
Complement80
Armament
  • 4 × bow 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 2 × stern 320 mm (12.7 in) torpedo tubes

Design and description

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Based on the preceding Ōshio, the Asashio class were of similar design but with a different shaped bow and improved sonar. They are considered the first fleet submarines constructed for Japan in the post-World War II era.[1] The submarines, constructed with a double hull,[2] measured 88 meters (288 ft 9 in) long with a beam of 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in) and a draft of 4.9 m (16 ft 1 in). The vessels had a standard displacement of 1,650 long tons (1,680 t) surfaced and a submerged displacement of 2,150 long tons (2,180 t).[1] The Asashio class had a complement of 80.[3] The Asashio class were propelled by two propellers powered by a diesel-electric system comprising two Kawasaki diesel engines creating 2,900 brake horsepower (2,200 kW) and two electric motors creating 6,300 shaft horsepower (4,700 kW). This gave the submarines a maximum speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) submerged and 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) while surfaced.[3]

The vessels were equipped with eight torpedo tubes, six in the bow and two in the stern.[1][3] The sources disagree on the torpedo armament, with two sources stating that all eight were for 533-millimeter (21.0 in) torpedoes,[1][3] while another states that only the forward six were for the 533 mm torpedoes and the stern tubes were for 320 mm (12.7 in) torpedoes.[2] Moore[2] and Gardiner, Chumbley and Budzbon[1] state that the stern tubes were for "swim-out" torpedoes with Gardiner, Chumbley and Budzbon adding they were for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and that the forward tubes were intended for US Mark 54 torpedoes.[1] They carried a total of 20 torpedoes.[4] The Asahio class mounted ZPS-3 radar, SQS-4 active sonar and JQS-3A and JQQ-2A passive sonars. They were also equipped with BLR-1 intercept equipment.[3]

Boats

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Asashio class construction data[1][2]
Pennant no. Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate
SS-562 Asashio (あさしお) Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation 15 October 1964 27 November 1965 13 October 1966 Decommissioned 30 March 1983
SS-563 Harushio (はるしお) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 12 October 1965 25 February 1967 1 December 1967 Decommissioned 30 March 1984
SS-564 Michishio (みちしお) Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation 26 July 1966 5 December 1967 29 August 1968 Decommissioned 27 March 1985
SS-565 Arashio (あらしお) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 5 July 1967 24 October 1968 25 July 1969 Decommissioned 27 March 1986

Construction and career

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The first submarine Asashio was ordered as part of the 1963 shipbuilding programme.[2] Construction was split between the Kawasaki and Mitsubishi yards at Kobe. The submarines were used for ASW training for surface ships in naval exercises. The class was deleted in the mid-1980s.[1][4]

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 235.
  2. ^ a b c d e Moore 1982, p. 257.
  3. ^ a b c d e Couhat 1986, p. 285.
  4. ^ a b Moore 1984, p. 281.

References

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  • Couhat, Jean Labayle, ed. (1986). Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-85368-860-5.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen & Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Moore, John, ed. (1982). Jane's Fighting Ships 1981–82 (85th ed.). London: Jane's Publishing Incorporated. ISBN 0-86720-617-9.
  • Moore, John, ed. (1984). Jane's Fighting Ships 1984–85. New York: Jane's Publishing Incorporated. ISBN 0-7106-0795-4.
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