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Benjamin Franklin vs Kilo

Benjamin Franklin vs Kilo at a glance — displacement 7,443 vs 2,325 tons, length 130 vs 72 m, speed 16 vs 17 knots, crew 140 vs 52.

Kilo submarine side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Kilo
Specifications
Benjamin Franklin Kilo
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Attack submarine
Manufacturer Electric Boat Rubin Design Bureau
Year introduced 1965 1980
Number built 12 units 75 units
Estimated unit price NA $200 million
Displacement 7,443 tons 2,325 tons
Maximum speed 16.0 knots 17.0 knots
Range Unlimited 6,000 nm at 7 knots
Length 130.0 m 72.6 m
Beam 10.0 m 9.9 m
Crew 140 52
Max depth 400 m 300 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Benjamin Franklin Kilo
Armament
  • 16 Polaris A3 or Poseidon C3 or Trident I C4 missiles
  • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 13 torpedoes
  • 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 18 torpedoes
  • 4 Kalibr/Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile and anti-submarine missile
  • 24 mines
  • 8 9K34 Strela-3 (SA-N-8 Gremlin) or 8 9K310 Igla-1 (SA-N-10 Gimlet) surface-to-air missiles
Propulsion 1 × S5W PWR, 2 geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft Diesel-electric propulsion, 2 × 1000 kW diesel generators, 1 × 5,500–6,800 shp propulsion motor, 1 × fixed-pitch 6-bladed or 7-bladed propeller
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class has greater displacement at 7,443 tons compared to the Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Kilo-class?
The Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 17 knots compared to the Benjamin Franklin-class's 16 knots.
Which has longer range, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Kilo-class has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Benjamin Franklin-class and Kilo-class have?
The Benjamin Franklin-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Kilo-class?
The Benjamin Franklin-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Benjamin Franklin-class or Kilo-class?
The Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 12 vessels of the Benjamin Franklin-class.