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Elbe vs Spearhead

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Specifications
Elbe Spearhead
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany 🇺🇸 United States
Category Auxiliary ship Auxiliary ship
Type Tender Expeditionary Fast Transport
Manufacturer Bremer Vulkan Austal USA
Year introduced 1993 2012
Number built 6 units 15 units
Estimated unit price NA $180 million
Displacement 3,586 tons 1,515 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots 43.0 knots
Range 2,600 nm 1,200 nm
Length 100.6 m 103.0 m
Beam 15.4 m 28.5 m
Crew 40 41
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Elbe Spearhead
Armament
  • 2 × Fliegerfaust 2 (Stinger) MANPADS stands
  • 2 × Rheinmetall Rh202 20 mm autocannon, being replaced by MLG-27 27 mm
  • 4x mounts for M2 .50 caliber machine guns
Propulsion 1 × Deutz-MWM SBV diesel, 2,562 kW, bow thruster Four MTU 20V8000 M71L diesel engines, Four ZF 60000NR2H reduction gears

Overview

The Elbe and the Spearhead are both Auxiliary ship classes.

The Elbe displaces 3,586 tons — 2.4x the Spearhead's 1,515 tons. The Elbe reaches 15 knots vs 43 knots for the Spearhead. Operational range is 2,600 nautical miles for the Elbe vs 1,200 for the Spearhead. The Elbe carries a crew of 40 vs 41 for the Spearhead.

The Elbe was produced in 6 units vs 15 for the Spearhead. The Elbe was commissioned in 1993, 19 years before the Spearhead (2012).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Elbe-class or Spearhead-class?
The Elbe-class has greater displacement at 3,586 tons compared to the Spearhead-class's 1,515 tons.
Which is faster, the Elbe-class or Spearhead-class?
The Spearhead-class is faster with a maximum speed of 43 knots compared to the Elbe-class's 15 knots.
Which has longer range, the Elbe-class or Spearhead-class?
The Elbe-class has a longer range at 2,600 nautical miles compared to the Spearhead-class's 1,200 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Elbe-class or Spearhead-class?
The Spearhead-class is longer at 103.0 meters compared to the Elbe-class's 100.5 meters.
How many crew members do the Elbe-class and Spearhead-class have?
The Spearhead-class has a larger crew complement of 41 compared to the Elbe-class's 40 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Elbe-class or Spearhead-class?
The Spearhead-class has been built in greater numbers with 15 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Elbe-class.