Question for any Japanese sub experts out there
 

I was watching a video of the Oyashio diesel submarine and it looked to me like it had a glazed section on the rear of the sail; is that what it is, and if so, is this for observation of stuff in the baffles, or does it serve some other purpose?

:D Chock

Well--I can only give you my "best guess" but I would think that it is probably a passive sonar array. It might be an effort to make up for the lack of a towed array?

:hmm:

d'oh I was all excited, but its modern subs:damn:
I'm Mr. "WW2 Japanese subs"

The Oyashio class SSK does have a towed array, the ZQR-1.

PD

Do you mean this:
http://jmgillis.com/oyashio.jpg
If so, it looks like a housing for a navigation light to me.

Yup, I subsequently found out that's what it is, a free-flooding cover for a navigation light.

:D Chock

You mean like a water candle? :hmm:

;)