The Harushio class (, "Spring Tide") is a diesel-electric submarine class that was operated by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The design is an evolution from the being slightly larger and with better noise reduction. Asashio, was modified to test air-independent propulsion (AIP), and the remaining vessels were decommissioned and replaced by the
Design and description The Harushio class were designed to replace the ageing and were an improved version of the preceding , being slightly larger, with improved noise reduction, weaponry and sensors. Using a double hull system, the pressure hull was made of NS 110 steel and allowed the submarines to dive to a reported depth of . Their hulls were covered in an anechoic coating to reduce their noise signature.
As built, the vessels measured long with a beam of and a draught of . They had a surfaced displacement of and submerged. The submarines, powered by a diesel-electric system, initially mounted two Kawasaki 12V5/255 diesel engines that operated the one shaft while surfaced, creating . While submerged, the submarines utilised the two Kawasaki alternators connected to the two 480-cell battery sets driving the shaft, creating . These were later swapped for two Mitsubishi-MAN V8/v24-30 MATL diesel engines creating each and two alternators paired with two tandem Toshiba electric motors creating . On the surface, the ships were capable of and while dived.
The Harushio class mounted six Type HU-0603B torpedo tubes amidships that could be used to fire either Type 89 torpedoes or UGM-84C Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The submarines carried 20 reloads. The vessels had a complement of 75, composed of 65 enlisted personnel and 10 officers. The final submarine of the class, , had a reduced crew from launch due to increased automation in the engineering control systems, which comprised 71, including ten officers.
The class was equipped with flank-mounted sonars, namely the Hughes-Oki ZQQ-5B active/passive model. They were also equipped with the ZQR-1 TASS towed passive sonar array. They received the ZLA-7 electronic warfare intercept suite and the ZLR 3-6 electronic support measures suite and had a VHF receiver with a towed antenna. The submarines mounted the JRC ZPS-6 navigation/surface search radar that operated on the I-band.
Asashio As the final submarine of the class, Asashio was a modified version of the initial design. Due to the aforementioned increased automation, the submarine was marginally longer than the other submarines of the class, measuring long overall with an increased surfaced displacement of and dived. Asashio was later selected to be the test bed for air-independent propulsion (AIP) for the Japanese submarine fleet and had an Sterling V4-275R Mk II AIP unit installed. To accommodate the AIP system, the submarine's hull was further extended by and the vessel's displacement increased by roughly to standard and submerged.
Vessels
Project no. Building no. Pennant no. Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned S126 8098 SS-583 21 April 1987 26 July 1989 30 November 1990 27 March 2009 8099 SS-584 8 April 1988 20 March 1990 20 March 1991 26 March 2010 8100 SS-585/TSS-3606 9 December 1988 17 January 1991 25 March 1992 15 March 2011 8101 SS-586 8 January 1990 17 March 1992 17 March 1993 19 March 2012 8102 SS-587 12 December 1990 22 January 1993 1 March 1994 5 March 2013 8103 SS-588/TSS-3607 12 December 1991 16 February 1994 7 March 1995 6 March 2015 S129 8104 SS-589/TSS-3601 24 December 1992 12 July 1995 12 March 1997 27 February 2017
Construction and career The first submarine of the class was authorised in 1986 and one per year until 1992. Asashio was reclassified as a training submarine on 9 March 2000. After undergoing conversion to AIP, Asashio re-entered service on 30 November. Hayashio was reclassified as a training submarine in 2008.
See also Equivalent submarines of the same era
Upholder/Victoria class
Notes
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