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California vs Virginia

California vs Virginia at a glance — displacement 10,600 vs 11,853 tons, length 179 vs 179 m, speed 30 vs 30 knots, crew 584 vs 579.

Specifications
California Virginia
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Cruiser Cruiser
Type Guided-missile cruiser Nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser
Manufacturer Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company
Year introduced 1974 1976
Number built 2 units 4 units
Estimated unit price NA $675 million
Displacement 10,600 tons 11,853 tons
Maximum speed 30.0 knots 30.0 knots
Range Unlimited Unlimited
Length 179.0 m 179.0 m
Beam 19.0 m 19.0 m
Crew 584 579
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
California Virginia
Armament
  • 2 × Mk 141 Harpoon missile launchers
  • 2 × 5 inch/54 caliber Mk 45 lightweight guns
  • 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
  • 1 × ASROC missile launcher
  • 2 × Mk 13 missile launchers for RIM-66D Standard missiles (MR)
  • 6 × 12.75" torpedo tubes for Mark 46 torpedoes
  • 4 × .50 caliber machine guns
  • 2 × Mk 26 missile launchers for 68 missiles (RIM-66 Standard Missiles (MR) / RUR-5 ASROC)
  • 8 × Tomahawk missile (from 2 armored-box launchers)
  • 8 × RGM-84 Harpoon (from two Mk-141 quad launchers)
  • 4 × Mk 46 torpedoes (from fixed single tubes)
  • 2 × Mk-45 5-inch/54 caliber rapid-fire gun
  • 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
  • 2 × 25 mm Mk 38 chain guns
  • 6 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) M2 machine guns
Propulsion 2 × General Electric D2G reactors generating 60,000 shp (45,000 kW) 2 General Electric D2G nuclear reactors, two shafts, 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)
Change comparison vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the California-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has greater displacement at 11,853 tons compared to the California-class's 10,600 tons.
Which is faster, the California-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is faster with a maximum speed of 30 knots compared to the California-class's 30 knots.
Which has longer range, the California-class or Virginia-class?
Both the California-class and Virginia-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the California-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is longer at 179.0 meters compared to the California-class's 179.0 meters.
How many crew members do the California-class and Virginia-class have?
The California-class has a larger crew complement of 584 compared to the Virginia-class's 579 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the California-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has been built in greater numbers with 4 vessels compared to 2 vessels of the California-class.