Soryu type: Cigarette type submarine
The Sōryūclass submarines (16SS) are dieselelectric submarines that entered service with the Japan Maritime SelfDefense Force in 2009. The design is an evolution of the Oyashio class submarine, from which it can most easily be distinguished by its Xshaped tail planes. The Sōryūs have the largest displacement of any submarine used by post war Japan.
At 84 m long and 4,200tons submerged, Soryu is significantly larger than the original 11 Oyashioclass boats (81 m and 3,500 tons), in order to incorporate a Kockums Stirling air independent propulsion (AIP) system. With the Kockums Stirling AIP system the submarine doesn't have to surface to charge the batteries and thus increases the submerged endurance from days to weeks. Components for the AIP, which will enhance the vessel's stealth and special operations capability, were supplied by the Swedish company for assembly in Japan.
The Soryus design features higher automation (particularly in combat systems) and computeraided X control planes. The revolutionary X rudder configuration was first developed by Kockums for the Swedich Gotlandclass. The X rudder provides the submarine with extreme manoeuvrability and also enables it to operate very close to the seabed. The Soryu's hull is clad in anechoic coating and the interior features sound isolation of loud components. An anechoic coating has a major effect on the avoidance of detection.
The Soryu was was launched at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe shipyard on December 2007 and commissioned in March 2009. It was formerly known as the "SS 2,900 ton" and the "16SS" project as it originated in the 16th year of the current Emperor's reign (2003). The cost of the sixth Soryu ( the "Kokuryu") was estimated at 540 US$ million. Japanese submarines since World War II were named after ocean currents. However, the JMSDF changed its naming convention with the Sōryu and submarines will now be named after mythological creatures. Sōryū (そうりゅう) means blue (or green) dragon in Japanese. Characteristics of Soryu class (main source)