Tang-class submarine

Tang-class submarine
Name	Tang class
Builders	Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Electric Boat Company
Operators	United States Navy
Built range	1949–1952
In commission	1951–1983
Type	Diesel-electric submarine

Tang-class submarine. The Tang-class submarines were a class of diesel-electric submarines built for the United States Navy in the early 1950s. They represented the first major post-World War II submarine design, incorporating advanced German Type XXI U-boat technology and pioneering the distinctive teardrop hull form for superior underwater performance. These six boats set the standard for American submarine design throughout the Cold War.

Design and Development

The design of the Tang class was a direct response to the revolutionary Type XXI U-boat encountered by the Allies at the end of World War II. Under the direction of the Bureau of Ships, American naval architects sought to incorporate the German advancements, most notably the streamlined, hydrodynamic hull optimized for submerged operations. This marked a radical departure from previous American fleet submarines like the Gato class, which were designed primarily for surface cruising. Key innovations included a single screw, bow-mounted diving planes, and an enlarged battery capacity to increase underwater endurance and speed. The design process was heavily influenced by captured Kriegsmarine documents and technical evaluations conducted by the Office of Naval Intelligence.

Construction

Construction of the six boats was split between three major American shipyards. The lead boat, USS Tang (SS-563), was built at the government-owned Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. USS Trigger (SS-564) and USS Wahoo (SS-565) were constructed by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. The remaining three—USS Trout (SS-566), USS Gudgeon (SS-567), and USS Harder (SS-568)—were built by the private Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut. The class was authorized under the fiscal year 1947 and 1948 programs, with keels laid between 1949 and 1950. Their construction coincided with the early years of the Korean War, which influenced procurement priorities.

Operational History

Upon entering service in the early 1950s, the Tang-class boats immediately became the frontline attack submarines of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Their primary Cold War mission was anti-submarine warfare against the growing Soviet Navy submarine force, particularly the Whiskey-class submarine. They conducted extensive surveillance and intelligence-gathering patrols, often in close proximity to Soviet naval exercises. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, several units were deployed for blockade and surveillance duties in the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout their careers, they participated in numerous NATO exercises and provided vital training services for developing American sonar and torpedo tactics.

Technical Specifications

The Tang-class submarines displaced 1,560 tons surfaced and 2,260 tons submerged. Their teardrop hulls were 268 feet long with a beam of 27 feet. Propulsion was provided by four Fairbanks-Morse 38D8-1/8 diesel engines driving generators, which powered two Elliott Company electric motors connected to a single shaft. This system could produce 15,000 shp, enabling a top surfaced speed of 15.5 knots and a remarkable submerged speed of over 18 knots. They were armed with eight 21-inch torpedo tubes, six in the bow and two in the stern, and carried a complement of Mark 37 torpedos. Sensor suites included the BQR-4 passive and BQS-4 active sonar systems.

Service History

Each boat had a long and varied service life, undergoing numerous modernization programs. In the late 1950s, under the Greater Underwater Propulsive Power (GUPPY) program, they received upgraded batteries and snorkel systems. During the 1960s, some were further modified to test new technologies, such as the Subroc missile system. USS Gudgeon (SS-567) was loaned to the Turkish Naval Forces from 1973 to 1983, serving as TCG Pirireis (S 343). The class was gradually phased out of U.S. service in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the last, USS Harder (SS-568), decommissioned in 1974, though USS Tang (SS-563) served as a training boat until 1983.

Legacy

The Tang class proved to be a foundational design for all subsequent U.S. Navy submarines. Their hull form directly influenced the Barbel-class submarine, the last American diesel-electric attack boats, and provided the basic template for the nuclear-powered Skipjack-class submarine. The operational doctrines developed around their high submerged performance directly informed the strategies of the Silent Service throughout the Cold War. Several preserved artifacts, including the sail of USS Tang (SS-563) at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut, serve as testaments to their pivotal role in naval history.

Category:Submarine classes of the United States Navy Category:Cold War submarines of the United States