Type IXs had six torpedo tubes, four at the bow and two at the stern. They carried six reloads internally and had five external torpedo containers (three at the stern and two at the bow) which stored ten additional torpedoes. The total of 22 torpedoes allowed U-boat commanders to follow a convoy and strike night after night. As mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 66 TMB mines, but many of the IXC boats were not fitted for mine operations.
Secondary armament was provided by one large Utof 105/45 gun with about 110 rounds. Antiaircraft armament differed throughout the war. They had two periscopes in the tower. Types IXA and IXB had an additional periscope in the control room, which was deleted in Type IXC and afterward.
Eight Type IXA U-boats were built [AG Weser]? of Bremen.
U-37? -- U-38? -- U-39? -- U-40? -- U-41? -- U-42? -- U-43? -- U-44?
Type IXB was an improved with an increased range. It was the most successful overall with each boat averaging a total of over 100,000 tons sunk.
Famous IXB boats included U-123? under the command of Hardegen, which opened up the attack in the US waters in early 1942 known as [Operation Drumbeat]?, and U-107? out of [Freetown, Africa]? under the command of Hessler, which had the most successful single mission of the war over with close to 100,000 tons sunk.
14 Type IXA U-boats were built [AG Weser]? of Bremen.
U-64? -- U-65? -- U-103? -- U-104? -- U-105? -- U-106? -- U-107? -- U-108? -- U-109? -- U-110 -- U-111? -- U-122? -- U-123? -- U-124?
Type IXB was a further refinement with storage for additional 43 tons of fuel, giving an increased range. These series omitted the control room periscope leaving the boats with two tower scopes.
As mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 66 TMB mines, though U-162? through U-170? and U-505? through U-550? (35 boats), were not fitted for mine operations.
54 of this type were built by [AG Weser]? and [Seebeck Yard]? of Bremen, and [Deutsche Werft]? of Hamburg
Type IXC/40 was a slight modification of Type IXC with a slightly increased range and somewhat higher surface speed.
87 of this type were built by [AG Weser]? and [Seebeck Yard]? of Bremen, and [Deutsche Werft]? of Hamburg.
Type IXD was significantly longer and heavier than the IXC/40. A variant of the Type IXD, known as the IXD/42, was almost identical but with more engine power (5400 ehp instead of 4400).
In 1943 and 1944 the torpedo tubes were removed from the IXD boats and they converted for transport use. In their new role the could transport 252 tons of freight.
30 Type IXD U-boats were built [AG Weser]? of Bremen. U-177? -- U-178? -- U-179? -- U-180? -- U-181? -- U-182? -- U-195? -- U-196? -- U-197? -- U-198? -- U-199? -- U-200? -- U-847? -- U-848? -- U-849? -- U-850? -- U-851? -- U-852? -- U-859? -- U-860? -- U-861? -- U-862? -- U-863? -- U-864? -- U-871? -- U-872? -- U-873? -- U-874? -- U-875? -- U-876?
Several Type IXD/42 U-boats were contracted to be built [AG Weser]? of Bremen, but only one was commissioned.
U-883? was launched on April 28, 1944 and commissioned March 27, 1945. Her career ended in Operation Deadlight.
U-884? was launched on May 17, 1944 but was badly damaged on March 30, 1945 by US bombs while still in dockyard hands. U-885?, U-886? U-887?, and U-888? were laid down but construction halted on September 30, 1943 when all IXD/42 contracts were cancelled.
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