Asashio-class submarine

Arashio alongside in Apra Harbor on 1 April 1984

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.Template:Sfn The submarines, constructed with a double hull,Template:Sfn measured long with a beam of Template:Cvt and a draft of Template:Cvt. The vessels had a standard displacement of surfaced and a submerged displacement of Template:Cvt.Template:Sfn The Asashio class had a complement of 80.Template:Sfn The Asashio class were propelled by two propellers powered by a diesel-electric system comprising two Kawasaki diesel engines creating and two electric motors creating . This gave the submarines a maximum speed of submerged and while surfaced.Template:Sfn

The vessels were equipped with eight torpedo tubes, six in the bow and two in the stern.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn The sources disagree on the torpedo armament, with two sources stating that all eight were for torpedoes,Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn while another states that only the forward six were for the 533 mm torpedoes and the stern tubes were for Template:Cvt torpedoes.Template:Sfn MooreTemplate:Sfn and Gardiner, Chumbley and BudzbonTemplate:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn This is erroneous because, aside from being of the wrong size and role, the Mark 54 entered service in 2004; the text must actually be referring to the Japanese-designed Type 54 torpedoes, and conflating them with the US Mark 37, of which one variant was locally manufactured in Japan, and other variants imported. They carried a total of 20 torpedoes.Template:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn

Boats

Asashio class construction dataTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn
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.Template:Sfn 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.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

See also

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