Sōryū-class submarine
Soryu-class profile | |
Hakuryū (SS-503) visits Pearl Harbor, Feb 2013 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sōryū |
| Builders | |
| Operators | Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
| Preceded by | Oyashio-class submarine |
| Succeeded by | Taigei-class submarine |
| Built | 2005 – 2019 |
| In commission | 2009 – Present |
| Planned | 12 |
| Completed | 12 |
| Active | 12 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Attack submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 84.0 m (275 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in) |
| Draught | 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
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| Range | AIP endurance (est.): 6,100 nautical miles (11,300 km; 7,000 mi) at 6.5 knots (12.0 km/h; 7.5 mph) |
| Complement | 65 (9 officers, 56 enlisted) |
| Sensors & processing systems |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys |
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| Armament |
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_arrives_at_Joint_Base_Pearl_Harbor-Hickam_for_a_scheduled_port_visit,_-6_Feb._2013_(YP255-023).jpg){kind=link}
The Sōryū-class submarines (16SS) are diesel-electric attack submarines. The first boat in the class entered service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in 2009. The design is an evolution of the Oyashio class, from which it can most easily be distinguished by its X-shaped stern combination diving planes and rudders. At the time of launching, the Sōryūs had the largest displacement of any submarine used by post-war Japan.
The Sōryū-class is Japan's first air-independent propulsion submarine class. From Sōryū to Shōryū are fitted with Kockums Naval Solutions Stirling engines license-built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, allowing them to stay submerged for longer periods of time. The 11th submarine of the class, Ōryū, is the world's first lithium-ion battery submarine. The cost of the sixth submarine (Kokuryū) was estimated at US$540 million.
In 2023, the first of the replacements for the Sōryūs, the Taigei class, entered service.