JS Soryu (SS-501)

History

Japans underwater power has come under renewed scrutiny amid growing tensions with China and its interest in the South China Sea. Therefore, it appears that the newer Soryu-class diesel-electric attack submarines entered service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in due course.

Twelve ships of this type are planned, of which 8 have been completed and 3 are under construction (2016). The squad succeeded the 11-man Oyashio squad, which began service in the late 1990s and beyond.

The Soryu class can be seen as an extension of the Oyashio class, with the main exception being the X-shaped tail used on the Soryu ships. Newer boats also have more modern features to improve their performance, including underwater endurance.

JS Soryu is the lead ship of the Soryu class, with a surface displacement of 2,900 tons and a submerged displacement of 4,200 tons. She has a length of 275.6 feet, a beam of 29.9 feet and a draft of 27.10 feet. Powered by 2 Kawasaki 12V 25/25 SB diesel electric motors and 4 Kockums V4-275R Stirling engines, single shaft drive 3,900 hp (surface) and 8,000 hp (underwater).

The surface speed reaches 13 knots, the underwater speed is a maximum of 20 knots, and the range is up to 6,100 nautical miles when cruising at 6.5 knots.

Internally, the ship had 65 personnel (including 9 officers). She carries the ZPS-6F surface/low-altitude search radar suite, Hughes/Oki ZQQ-7 sonar with bow array, towed array and 4 x LF flanking arrays. The ZLR-3-6 together with the 2 x 3 inch underwater countermeasure tubes make up the electronic warfare equipment.

The weapon consists of 6 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes with a total of 30 reloads. These tubes can fire the Type 89 torpedo and Harpoon anti-ship missile (ASM) series. The ship is also designed to lay mines if necessary.

JS Soryu operates under the eponymous "Blue Dragon" and carries the pennant SS-501. She was laid on March 31, 2005 (item number "S131") and launched on December 5, 2007. She was officially commissioned on March 30, 2009, and will be launched in Kure, Japan.

JS Soryu continues the original IJN Soryu to serve Japan. The original warships (aircraft carriers) served in World War II (1939-1945) and met their fate at the hands of the Allies at the Battle of Midway (June 1942).

The ship's design was offered to Australia as a replacement for its aging Collins-class submarine fleet. However, the country opted for French designs.

Specification

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Performance

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