Mitsubishi Heavy industries launches JMSDF's seventh ninja submarine, Jinryu

[Aepsilons]

Known as the “ninja of the seas,” Japan’s Hakuryu submarine carries enough firepower to knock out an aircraft carrier with a single blow.

But the Type 89 torpedo is not the vessel’s most effective feature in strengthening Japan’s warning and surveillance operations in its waters.

“A submarine’s greatest weapon is stealth,” Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Kaoru Yoshida said. “Our mere presence that makes (the enemy think) ‘there might be a powerful submarine out there’ is a deterrent.”

In the National Defense Program Guidelines formulated at the end of last year, Japan decided to increase its submarine fleet from the current 16 vessels to 22 over the next 10 years. A key reason for the increase is Chinese maritime forays, including in areas around the Senkaku Islands claimed by both Japan and China in the East China Sea.

Reporters from several media organizations, including The Asahi Shimbun, were allowed to take a trip aboard a Hakuryu submarine for the first time in late February.

The purpose of allowing access to the submarine was apparently to show that the MSDF can also flex its maritime muscle.

The Hakuryu shown to reporters was the third of the Soryu-class of submarines, which were commissioned from 2009. It has a standard displacement of 2,950 tons and a length of 84 meters.

Before heading out to sea, a “pssh” sound was heard as Capt. Yoshida, 40, gave the order to “begin launch” during a torpedo drill.

Soryu-class submarines can stay submerged longer because they generate energy by mixing fuel with liquid oxygen stored in tanks.

They are more difficult to detect with radar because they extend the air supply tube above the water’s surface far fewer times than the MSDF’s other submarines, which are propelled by batteries when submerged and use diesel engines to recharge the batteries.

A “snorkel” is essential to take in oxygen. But the air supply tubes and periscopes are easily detectable by radar.

“When the snorkel’s up, that’s your best chance to catch a sub,” a P-3C patrol aircraft pilot said.

But the stealth of the Hakuryu submarine comes at a cost in terms of comfort.

The Air-Independent Propulsion engine takes up 10 meters of the length of the submarine’s central section, leaving cramped living quarters for the crew of 65 or so.

The captain’s quarters cover around 3 square meters, while the officers’ quarters have three triple bunk beds to fit nine people in a room.

“It’s tough working in an enclosed space with limited water and air, but I’m motivated to take part in duties that only a few seamen can do,” Lt. Cmdr. Tomoharu Horiuchi, the Hakuryu’s 35-year-old chief engineer, said.

To maintain secrecy, crew members themselves often do not know when they are scheduled to return to their home port.

“We can’t even tell our families when we leave port,” Petty Officer 3rd Class Hayaki Kawai, 31, who has a 10-month-old daughter, said.



For MSDF's newest 'ninja' submarines, it's all about stealth - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

 

[Aepsilons]

FYI: Jinryu -- じんりゅう means "Benevolent Dragon"

 

[FaujHistorian]

Known as the “ninja of the seas,” Japan’s Hakuryu submarine carries enough firepower to knock out an aircraft carrier with a single blow.

But the Type 89 torpedo is not the vessel’s most effective feature in strengthening Japan’s warning and surveillance operations in its waters.

“A submarine’s greatest weapon is stealth,” Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Kaoru Yoshida said. “Our mere presence that makes (the enemy think) ‘there might be a powerful submarine out there’ is a deterrent.”

In the National Defense Program Guidelines formulated at the end of last year, Japan decided to increase its submarine fleet from the current 16 vessels to 22 over the next 10 years. A key reason for the increase is Chinese maritime forays, including in areas around the Senkaku Islands claimed by both Japan and China in the East China Sea.

Reporters from several media organizations, including The Asahi Shimbun, were allowed to take a trip aboard a Hakuryu submarine for the first time in late February.

The purpose of allowing access to the submarine was apparently to show that the MSDF can also flex its maritime muscle.

The Hakuryu shown to reporters was the third of the Soryu-class of submarines, which were commissioned from 2009. It has a standard displacement of 2,950 tons and a length of 84 meters.

Before heading out to sea, a “pssh” sound was heard as Capt. Yoshida, 40, gave the order to “begin launch” during a torpedo drill.

Soryu-class submarines can stay submerged longer because they generate energy by mixing fuel with liquid oxygen stored in tanks.

They are more difficult to detect with radar because they extend the air supply tube above the water’s surface far fewer times than the MSDF’s other submarines, which are propelled by batteries when submerged and use diesel engines to recharge the batteries.

A “snorkel” is essential to take in oxygen. But the air supply tubes and periscopes are easily detectable by radar.

“When the snorkel’s up, that’s your best chance to catch a sub,” a P-3C patrol aircraft pilot said.

But the stealth of the Hakuryu submarine comes at a cost in terms of comfort.

The Air-Independent Propulsion engine takes up 10 meters of the length of the submarine’s central section, leaving cramped living quarters for the crew of 65 or so.

The captain’s quarters cover around 3 square meters, while the officers’ quarters have three triple bunk beds to fit nine people in a room.

“It’s tough working in an enclosed space with limited water and air, but I’m motivated to take part in duties that only a few seamen can do,” Lt. Cmdr. Tomoharu Horiuchi, the Hakuryu’s 35-year-old chief engineer, said.

To maintain secrecy, crew members themselves often do not know when they are scheduled to return to their home port.

“We can’t even tell our families when we leave port,” Petty Officer 3rd Class Hayaki Kawai, 31, who has a 10-month-old daughter, said.



For MSDF's newest 'ninja' submarines, it's all about stealth - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun



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looking forward to Mitsubishi built planes.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/coming-soon-japans-first-airliner-in-half-a-century-1413401634

 

[mike2000]

Known as the “ninja of the seas,” Japan’s Hakuryu submarine carries enough firepower to knock out an aircraft carrier with a single blow.

But the Type 89 torpedo is not the vessel’s most effective feature in strengthening Japan’s warning and surveillance operations in its waters.

“A submarine’s greatest weapon is stealth,” Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Kaoru Yoshida said. “Our mere presence that makes (the enemy think) ‘there might be a powerful submarine out there’ is a deterrent.”

In the National Defense Program Guidelines formulated at the end of last year, Japan decided to increase its submarine fleet from the current 16 vessels to 22 over the next 10 years. A key reason for the increase is Chinese maritime forays, including in areas around the Senkaku Islands claimed by both Japan and China in the East China Sea.

Reporters from several media organizations, including The Asahi Shimbun, were allowed to take a trip aboard a Hakuryu submarine for the first time in late February.

The purpose of allowing access to the submarine was apparently to show that the MSDF can also flex its maritime muscle.

The Hakuryu shown to reporters was the third of the Soryu-class of submarines, which were commissioned from 2009. It has a standard displacement of 2,950 tons and a length of 84 meters.

Before heading out to sea, a “pssh” sound was heard as Capt. Yoshida, 40, gave the order to “begin launch” during a torpedo drill.

Soryu-class submarines can stay submerged longer because they generate energy by mixing fuel with liquid oxygen stored in tanks.

They are more difficult to detect with radar because they extend the air supply tube above the water’s surface far fewer times than the MSDF’s other submarines, which are propelled by batteries when submerged and use diesel engines to recharge the batteries.

A “snorkel” is essential to take in oxygen. But the air supply tubes and periscopes are easily detectable by radar.

“When the snorkel’s up, that’s your best chance to catch a sub,” a P-3C patrol aircraft pilot said.

But the stealth of the Hakuryu submarine comes at a cost in terms of comfort.

The Air-Independent Propulsion engine takes up 10 meters of the length of the submarine’s central section, leaving cramped living quarters for the crew of 65 or so.

The captain’s quarters cover around 3 square meters, while the officers’ quarters have three triple bunk beds to fit nine people in a room.

“It’s tough working in an enclosed space with limited water and air, but I’m motivated to take part in duties that only a few seamen can do,” Lt. Cmdr. Tomoharu Horiuchi, the Hakuryu’s 35-year-old chief engineer, said.

To maintain secrecy, crew members themselves often do not know when they are scheduled to return to their home port.

“We can’t even tell our families when we leave port,” Petty Officer 3rd Class Hayaki Kawai, 31, who has a 10-month-old daughter, said.



For MSDF's newest 'ninja' submarines, it's all about stealth - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun



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Im an admirer of Japans Soryu class submarines....its such a beauty.
Keep it up Nippon sama.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

Known as the “ninja of the seas,” Japan’s Hakuryu submarine carries enough firepower to knock out an aircraft carrier with a single blow.

But the Type 89 torpedo is not the vessel’s most effective feature in strengthening Japan’s warning and surveillance operations in its waters.

“A submarine’s greatest weapon is stealth,” Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Kaoru Yoshida said. “Our mere presence that makes (the enemy think) ‘there might be a powerful submarine out there’ is a deterrent.”

In the National Defense Program Guidelines formulated at the end of last year, Japan decided to increase its submarine fleet from the current 16 vessels to 22 over the next 10 years. A key reason for the increase is Chinese maritime forays, including in areas around the Senkaku Islands claimed by both Japan and China in the East China Sea.

Reporters from several media organizations, including The Asahi Shimbun, were allowed to take a trip aboard a Hakuryu submarine for the first time in late February.

The purpose of allowing access to the submarine was apparently to show that the MSDF can also flex its maritime muscle.

The Hakuryu shown to reporters was the third of the Soryu-class of submarines, which were commissioned from 2009. It has a standard displacement of 2,950 tons and a length of 84 meters.

Before heading out to sea, a “pssh” sound was heard as Capt. Yoshida, 40, gave the order to “begin launch” during a torpedo drill.

Soryu-class submarines can stay submerged longer because they generate energy by mixing fuel with liquid oxygen stored in tanks.

They are more difficult to detect with radar because they extend the air supply tube above the water’s surface far fewer times than the MSDF’s other submarines, which are propelled by batteries when submerged and use diesel engines to recharge the batteries.

A “snorkel” is essential to take in oxygen. But the air supply tubes and periscopes are easily detectable by radar.

“When the snorkel’s up, that’s your best chance to catch a sub,” a P-3C patrol aircraft pilot said.

But the stealth of the Hakuryu submarine comes at a cost in terms of comfort.

The Air-Independent Propulsion engine takes up 10 meters of the length of the submarine’s central section, leaving cramped living quarters for the crew of 65 or so.

The captain’s quarters cover around 3 square meters, while the officers’ quarters have three triple bunk beds to fit nine people in a room.

“It’s tough working in an enclosed space with limited water and air, but I’m motivated to take part in duties that only a few seamen can do,” Lt. Cmdr. Tomoharu Horiuchi, the Hakuryu’s 35-year-old chief engineer, said.

To maintain secrecy, crew members themselves often do not know when they are scheduled to return to their home port.

“We can’t even tell our families when we leave port,” Petty Officer 3rd Class Hayaki Kawai, 31, who has a 10-month-old daughter, said.



For MSDF's newest 'ninja' submarines, it's all about stealth - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun



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I think I'm in love all over again! Sea ninjas (very appropriate given how freaking quiet these subs are), now Japan needs space ninjas too. Hoping to see a Japanese X-37B in the works.

 

[mike2000]

I heard the Soryu class are fitted with air-independent propulsion based on Kockums stirling engines license-built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries? Is it true Nihonji?

i also red that this is the sixth submarine of this type Japan has launched and its estimated cost is over $540 million, can you confirm this Nihonji san?

If this is true then its not really that expensive like i thought it will be(well, to Japanese standard that is.lol)

 

[SvenSvensonov]

I heard the Soryu class are fitted with air-independent propulsion based on Kockums stirling engines license-built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries? Is it true Nihonji?

i also red that this is the sixth submarine of this type Japan has launched and its estimated cost is over $540 million, can you confirm this Nihonji san?

If this is true then its not really that expensive like i thought it will be(well, to Japanese standard that is.lol)

The AIP is based off of the Kockums Stirling design, which is the most popular AIP engine around, but there has been talk of changing parts of the engine to Lithium Ion batteries which would run even more quiet and offer better performance. As for licensed production of the engines, yes they are domestically built, Japan likes to keep its military production in-house (as seen with the F-15 and F-4 and the P-3).

 

[mike2000]

The AIP is based off of the Kockums Stirling design, which is the most popular AIP engine around, but there has been talk of changing parts of the engine to Lithium Ion batteries which would run even more quite and offer better performance. As for licensed production of the engines, yes they are domestically built, Japan likes to keep its military production in-house (as seen with the F-15 and F-4 and the P-3).

Thanks for the valuable reply my Svensvensonov.
So Japan is going for an even quiter/deadly ninja submarine in future by changing part sof the engine with lithium batteries as you said, Interesting.

What are the other popular AIPs used by other Submarine producing powers?

 

[SvenSvensonov]

Thanks for the valuable reply my Svensvensonov.
So Japan is going for an even quiter/deadly ninja submarine in future by changing part sof the engine with lithium batteries as you said, Interesting.

What are the other popular AIPs used by other Submarine producing powers?

The French and Pakistani Agosta and Indian Scorpene subs use closed cycle steam turbines, while an older and no longer used AIP type is the closed cycle diesel engine, which was found on the Type XXVIIB Seehund midget sub and the Soviet Quebec-class (project 615). For today it's a race between the Sterling and the closed cycle steam turbines, with Lithium Ion engines being newer and more experimental, but the future of AIP engine design.

 

[BoQ77]

I adore both Ninja and Japanese AIP submarines.
A mystery that most of passenger cars use by Vietnam Army are Mitsubishi

 

[TaiShang]

A mystery that most of passenger cars use by Vietnam Army are Mitsubishi

What about their watches?

Underwear? I bet they are all from Uniqlo.

 

[BoQ77]

What about their watches?

Underwear? I bet they are all from Uniqlo.

Are you derailing?

I said vehicles used for Vietnam Army, most of them are Mitsubishi, as I realized.
Mitsubishi is not the bestseller in Vietnam, beside that Toyota, Mazda, Chevrolet, Nissan ...

So I guess there's a connection between Mitsubishi and Vietnam defence deparment.
We may hope the sale of AIP submarines to Vietnam too.

 

[TaiShang]

I said vehicles used for Vietnam Army, most of them are Mitsubishi, as I realized.

So what? Passenger cars by Mitsubishi and watches by? CASIO G-Shock, I believe.

Underwear is all by UNIQLO and stationary by MUJI.

Your Vietnam Army is indeed equipped with the best.

 

[Aepsilons]

View attachment 150009

Hehehe, i notice that many countries in Asia, the Mitsubishi Pajero , and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is very popular.

Here's the 2015 Mitsubishi Pajero

 

[Aepsilons]

I heard the Soryu class are fitted with air-independent propulsion based on Kockums stirling engines license-built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries? Is it true Nihonji?

This is correct.

i also red that this is the sixth submarine of this type Japan has launched and its estimated cost is over $540 million, can you confirm this Nihonji san?

That's right, the Kokuryo was around $540 million. All in all we have 7 of these ships in its class with 3 more to be built with a complete total of 10. The latter 3 of these ships in its class will be modified so that these will be powered with Lithium ion batteries, which will make it even outstandingly quieter, with greater power. So the costs on the latter 3 will be a bit higher, but not as much. Prospectively, it will save the user time and money long term.

In addition, I would like to add that Japan is modifying the design of the last 3 of our Soryu subs in that they will have the Vertical Launching Systems set in place. It will have a more robust offensive power, which many customers can avail of.

Lastly, as production increases , cost will decrease. Let that be a sobering and enlightening factor to consider.