OVERVIEW: The OBERON is a diesel-powered patrol submarine.

DETAILS:  The OBERON class were heavily based on the earlier PORPOISE-class SS.  Unlike the PORPOISE, the OBERON used a stronger steel aa well as Glass Reinforced Plastic (GPR) in the hull to increase strength and diving depth.  When built, they were exceptionally quiet underwater, in part due to careful attention to detail in the mounting of machinery, and advances made in propeller design to prevent cavitation.  The major element of the noise signature for the Oberon class was machinery noise transmitted through the hull.

Their quietness, combined with a very effective long-range sonar suite, made them a very capable in their role patrolling chokepoints to detect transiting Soviet submarines. They were also capable as special operations boats, where their quietness and ability to get close to shore made them particularly valuable.  


Specifications:
 
	Displacement: 2,030 (surfaced);  2,410 tons submerged.
	Speed: 12 knts (surfaced) 17 knts (submerged)
       	Engineering: 	2-1,840 hp diesel engines; 2-3,000 hp electric motors,
			 Two 3-bladed propellers
	Armament: 8/533mm torpedo tubes (6 fwd, 2 short tubes aft for Mk 23 short range torpedo)
	Test Depth: 600 feet
	Endurance: 56 days
	Range: 9,000 nm (surfaced)	
      	Complement: 69       
     	Hulls built: 27 total (13 for RN, 6 for RAN, 3 for RCN, 3 to Brazil, 2 for Chile) 
	Period of Service: 1961-1993 (RN), 1967-2000 (Australia and Canada) 


NOTES: IOC: 1961 (1967 in Australia).   Australian Units in class: OXLEY (57); OTWAY (59); OVENS (70); ONSLOW (60); ORION (61); OTAMA (62)


SOURCES:  Moore, John Evelyn. Jane's Fighting Ships 1987-88.  London: Jane's Pub, 1987, pg. 659 ; Oberon-class submarine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberon-class_submarine ;  Prezelin, Bernard. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 1990-1991. US Naval Institute Press, 1990, pg. 704; Pike, John. "Oberon." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified November 7, 2011. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/hms-oberon.htm. ; "The RAN Oberon Class." Submarine Institute of Australia. Accessed August 6, 2022. https://www.submarineinstitute.com/submarines-in-australia/The-RAN-Oberon-Class.html.


