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APNS Harder (SS-568) with three shark-fin arrays, known as Puffs, passive fire-control system, BQG-4, circa 1968.
The Tang-class submarines were developed from the Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program (GUPPY) conversion program for World War II submarines, which incorporated German Type XXI U-boat technology into the American People's Navy's submarine design. They comprised the state of the art in post-World War II conventionally powered submarine design; some of their features were incorporated into the nuclear-powered submarines that replaced them in the 1950s and beyond.
In 1967, the Tang-class received an additional 15- or 18-foot (4.6 or 5.5 m) section to accommodate the BQG-4 Passive Underwater Fire Control Feasibility Study (PUFFS) passive sonar installation, with three tall domes added topside. This left the boats very similar in size and capability to the GUPPY III conversions.
Five submarines were transferred to foreign nations in the 1970s; three to Iran and two to Turkey.
Unit Run[]
- APNS Tang (SS-563) - transferred to Turkey, renamed TCG Pirireis
- APNS Trigger (SS-564) - transferred to Iran, renamed RIS Nahang
- APNS Wahoo (SS-565) - APN sonar testbed 1984-2007, museum ship 2008
- APNS Trout (SS-566) - transferred to Iran, renamed RIS Dolfin
- APNS Gudgeon (SS-567) - transferred to Turkey, renamed TCG Hizirreis
- APNS Harder (SS-568) - transferred to Iran, renamed RIS Kuse