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Astute vs Seawolf

Astute submarine side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Astute
Seawolf submarine side profile drawing
🇺🇸 Seawolf
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Astute Seawolf
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer BAE Systems Submarines General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 2010 1997
Number built 6 units 3 units
Estimated unit price $2,112 million $3,000 million
Displacement 7,400 tons 8,600 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots 18.0 knots
Range Unlimited Unlimited
Length 97.0 m 108.0 m
Beam 11.3 m 12.0 m
Crew 98 140
Max depth 300 m 490 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Astute Seawolf
Armament
  • 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles
  • Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes
  • 8 x 26.5-inch torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk land attack missile
  • Harpoon anti-ship missile
  • Mk 48 guided torpedo
Propulsion 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor; MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators 1 S6W PWR 220 MW (300,000 hp), 1 secondary propulsion submerged motor, 2 steam turbines 57,000 shp (43 MW), 1 shaft, 1 pump-jet propeller

Overview

The Astute and the Seawolf are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 7,400 tons for the Astute vs 8,600 tons for the Seawolf. The Astute reaches 10 knots vs 18 knots for the Seawolf. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Astute vs 99,999 for the Seawolf. The Astute carries a crew of 98 vs 140 for the Seawolf. Submerged displacement is 7,800 tons for the Astute vs 9,138 tons for the Seawolf. The Seawolf can dive to 490 m compared to 300 m for the Astute.

The Astute was produced in 6 units vs 3 for the Seawolf. Cost per hull is $2,112M for the Astute vs $3,000M for the Seawolf. The Astute was commissioned in 2010, 13 years after the Seawolf (1997).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Astute-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class has greater displacement at 8,600 tons compared to the Astute-class's 7,400 tons.
Which is faster, the Astute-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class is faster with a maximum speed of 18 knots compared to the Astute-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Astute-class or Seawolf-class?
Both the Astute-class and Seawolf-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Astute-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class is longer at 108.0 meters compared to the Astute-class's 97.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Astute-class and Seawolf-class have?
The Seawolf-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Astute-class's 98 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Astute-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 490 meters compared to the Astute-class's 300 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Astute-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class is more expensive at approximately $3.0 billion per unit compared to the Astute-class at $2.1 billion.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Astute-class or Seawolf-class?
The Astute-class has been built in greater numbers with 6 vessels compared to 3 vessels of the Seawolf-class.