The Kaiten Type II was a two-man suicide submarine with a normal displacement of 13.4 tons, a maximum submerged speed of 40 kts, a range of 13.7 miles at 40 kts and 48 miles at 20 kts, a 3417 lbs high-explosive warhead, hydrogen peroxide 1500 HP propulsion, and dimensions of 54’ – 0” long by 4’ – 6” wide. First operationally deployed in Nov. 1944 and used until the last days of the war, it was normally carried to the target area on a larger ocean-going submarine or cruiser. On submarine delivery, the pilot entered the Kaiten through a hatch under its belly; from a cruiser it was lowered over the side. At about 8300 yards the Kaiten was launched from its parent submarine and cruised at periscope depth, then at 550 yards from a U.S. ship the pilot submerged to 13 feet and locked the controls for the final attack run. Its maximum speed of 40 kts made it faster than any U.S. ship in WWII, and approximately 700 were built, of which only 50 were used in action.