Submarine Narwhal Successfully Completes First Sea Trial

The Hai Kun submarine underwent harbor tests on June 14.

CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, having ensured that the Narwhal submarine, also known as Hai Kun, meets the necessary safety and quality requirements for sea trials, conducted a harbor acceptance test (HAT) within the Port of Kaohsiung on the 14th of this month. On June 17th, the submarine successfully completed its first navigation test while part of it is above the surface, during which integrated dynamic tests were carried out at sea for key systems such as propulsion, rudder, power supply, ventilation, communications, and navigation instruments. CSBC will continue to calibrate and improve each system based on test results as it moves on to the next stage of underwater testing.

The sea trials, in line with underwater safety testing protocols for submarines, is divided into three phases: float-on navigation, shallow-water navigation, and underwater navigation. Each phase involves multiple rounds of sea trails, with systems being calibrated and performance enhanced based on the results. During the navigation tests, diving depth will be increased progressively to ensure that operational requirements are met under safe testing conditions.

At-sea trials for the Hai Kun submarine were conducted on June 17.

The test team for this project is composed of personnel from CSBC, the Navy, original equipment manufacturers, and technical consultants. Prior to the first sea trial, the team reviewed submarine testing practices from other countries and conducted pre-sailing safety assessments for each system. Adjustments were made according to the assessment results, followed by navigational operation training. After completing all float-on navigation test items, the Narwhal submarine will be moved into CSBC's dry dock as scheduled, where system calibration, full vessel watertightness testing, and inspection of underwater equipment will be performed. Submersion trials will take place after the completion of biofouling cleaning and hull coating work.