Asashio-class submarine explained

The Asashio-class submarine is a submarine class of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force comprising four boats. This class is the successor of . 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.

Design and description

Based on the preceding, 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. The submarines, constructed with a double hull, measured 88m (289feet) long with a beam of and a draft of . The vessels had a standard displacement of 1650LT surfaced and a submerged displacement of . The Asashio class had a complement of 80. The Asashio class were propelled by two propellers powered by a diesel-electric system comprising two Kawasaki diesel engines creating 2900bhp and two electric motors creating 6300shp. This gave the submarines a maximum speed of 14kn submerged and while surfaced.

The vessels were equipped with eight torpedo tubes, six in the bow and two in the stern. The sources disagree on the torpedo armament, with two sources stating that all eight were for 533mm torpedoes, while another states that only the forward six were for the 533 mm torpedoes and the stern tubes were for torpedoes. Moore and Gardiner, Chumbley and Budzbon 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. They carried a total of 20 torpedoes. 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.

Boats

Asashio class construction data
Pennant no.	Name	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Fate
SS-562		Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation	15 October 1964	27 November 1965	13 October 1966	Decommissioned 30 March 1983
SS-563		Mitsubishi Heavy Industries	12 October 1965	25 February 1967	1 December 1967	Decommissioned 30 March 1984
SS-564		Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation	26 July 1966	5 December 1967	29 August 1968	Decommissioned 27 March 1985
SS-565		Mitsubishi Heavy Industries	5 July 1967	24 October 1968	25 July 1969	Decommissioned 27 March 1986

Construction and career

The first submarine Asashio was ordered as part of the 1963 shipbuilding programme. 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.

See also

• JDS Kuroshio - First submarine acquired by the JMSDF, via it being loaned by the U.S under the Military Assistance Program.
• - First naval submarine built in post-war Japan.

References

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