Ethan Allen vs Type 209

The Ethan Allen and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. The Ethan Allen displaces 7,057 tons — 5.5x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Ethan Allen reaches 16 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Ethan Allen vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Ethan Allen carries a crew of 140 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 8,011 tons for the Ethan Allen vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 400 m for the Ethan Allen. The Ethan Allen was produced in 5 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Ethan Allen was commissioned in 1961, 10 years before the Type 209 (1971).

American ballistic missile submarine, 7,057 tons displacement, introduced in 1961.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Ballistic missile submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1961
Number built 5 units
Estimated unit price NA
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
Displacement 7,057 tons
Maximum speed 16.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 125.1 m
Beam 10.1 m
Crew 140
Max depth 400 m
Propulsion 1 S5W PWR, 2 geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft
Armament
  • 16 Polaris A2/A3 missiles
  • 4 x 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 12 torpedoes
Displacement 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 11.0 knots
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 64.4 m
Beam 6.5 m
Crew 36
Max depth 500 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Armament
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Ethan Allen-class or Type 209-class?
The Ethan Allen-class has greater displacement at 7,057 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Ethan Allen-class or Type 209-class?
The Ethan Allen-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Ethan Allen-class or Type 209-class?
The Ethan Allen-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Ethan Allen-class or Type 209-class?
The Ethan Allen-class is longer at 125.1 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Ethan Allen-class and Type 209-class have?
The Ethan Allen-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Ethan Allen-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Ethan Allen-class's 400 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Ethan Allen-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 5 vessels of the Ethan Allen-class.