Benjamin Franklin vs Improved Kilo
The Benjamin Franklin and the Improved Kilo are both Submarine classes. The Benjamin Franklin displaces 7,443 tons — 3.2x the Improved Kilo's 2,325 tons. The Benjamin Franklin reaches 16 knots vs 12 knots for the Improved Kilo. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Benjamin Franklin vs 7,500 for the Improved Kilo. The Benjamin Franklin carries a crew of 140 vs 52 for the Improved Kilo. Submerged displacement is 8,383 tons for the Benjamin Franklin vs 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo. The Benjamin Franklin can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo. The Benjamin Franklin was produced in 12 units vs 75 for the Improved Kilo. The Benjamin Franklin was commissioned in 1965, 15 years before the Improved Kilo (1980).
| American nuclear-powered submarine, 7,443 tons displacement, utilizes an S5W pressurized water reactor. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Submarine |
| Type | Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine |
| Manufacturer | Electric Boat |
| Year introduced | 1965 |
| Number built | 12 units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Displacement | 7,443 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 16.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | Unlimited ◉ |
| Length | 130.0 m ◉ |
| Beam | 10.0 m ◉ |
| Crew | 140 ◉ |
| Max depth | 400 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | 1 × S5W PWR, 2 geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft |
| Armament |
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| Displacement | 2,325 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 12.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | 7,500 nm at 7 knots ◉ |
| Length | 72.6 m ◉ |
| Beam | 9.9 m ◉ |
| Crew | 52 ◉ |
| Max depth | 300 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric propulsion; 2 × 1000 kW diesel generators; 1 × 5,500–6,800 shp (4,100–5,100 kW) propulsion motor; 1 × fixed-pitch 6-bladed or 7-bladed propeller |
| Armament |
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Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has greater displacement, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class has greater displacement at 7,443 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Improved Kilo-class has a range of 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Benjamin Franklin-class and Improved Kilo-class have?
The Benjamin Franklin-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 12 vessels of the Benjamin Franklin-class.