GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Astute vs Trafalgar

Astute submarine side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Astute
Trafalgar submarine side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Trafalgar
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Astute Trafalgar
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer BAE Systems Submarines Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering
Year introduced 2010 1983
Number built 6 units 7 units
Estimated unit price $2,112 million $573 million
Displacement 7,400 tons 4,800 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots 20.0 knots
Range Unlimited Unlimited
Length 97.0 m 85.4 m
Beam 11.3 m 9.8 m
Crew 98 130
Max depth 300 m 300 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Astute Trafalgar
Armament
  • 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles
  • Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes
  • 5 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles
  • Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes
Propulsion 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor; MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR1 nuclear reactor, 2 × GEC steam turbines, 2 × WH Allen turbo generators (3.2 MW), 2 × Paxman diesel generators (2.1 MW), 1 × pump jet propulsor, 1 × motor for emergency drive, 1 × auxiliary retractable prop

Overview

The Astute and the Trafalgar are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 7,400 tons for the Astute vs 4,800 tons for the Trafalgar. The Astute reaches 10 knots vs 20 knots for the Trafalgar. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Astute vs 99,999 for the Trafalgar. The Astute carries a crew of 98 vs 130 for the Trafalgar. Submerged displacement is 7,800 tons for the Astute vs 5,300 tons for the Trafalgar. The Astute can dive to 300 m compared to 300 m for the Trafalgar.

The Astute was produced in 6 units vs 7 for the Trafalgar. Cost per hull is $2,112M for the Astute vs $573M for the Trafalgar. The Astute was commissioned in 2010, 27 years after the Trafalgar (1983).

Related Comparisons
Astute vs Virginia Astute vs Sang-O Astute vs Type 039A Astute vs Ghadir Astute vs Son Won-il Astute vs Type 214

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Astute-class or Trafalgar-class?
The Astute-class has greater displacement at 7,400 tons compared to the Trafalgar-class's 4,800 tons.
Which is faster, the Astute-class or Trafalgar-class?
The Trafalgar-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Astute-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Astute-class or Trafalgar-class?
Both the Astute-class and Trafalgar-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Astute-class or Trafalgar-class?
The Astute-class is longer at 97.0 meters compared to the Trafalgar-class's 85.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Astute-class and Trafalgar-class have?
The Trafalgar-class has a larger crew complement of 130 compared to the Astute-class's 98 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Astute-class or Trafalgar-class?
The Trafalgar-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Astute-class's 300 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Astute-class or Trafalgar-class?
The Astute-class is more expensive at approximately $2.1 billion per unit compared to the Trafalgar-class at $573 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Astute-class or Trafalgar-class?
The Trafalgar-class has been built in greater numbers with 7 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Astute-class.