Improved Kilo vs James Madison

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the James Madison are both Submarine classes.

The James Madison displaces 7,443 tons — 3.2x the Improved Kilo's 2,325 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 16 knots for the James Madison. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the James Madison. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 140 for the James Madison. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 8,383 tons for the James Madison. The James Madison can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 10 for the James Madison. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 16 years after the James Madison (1964).

Improved Kilo

Russian attack submarine, introduced in 1980, uses diesel-electric propulsion.
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau
Year introduced 1980
Number built 75 units
Estimated unit price $200 million
View full Improved Kilo details

James Madison

American submarine, introduced in 1964, displaces 7,443 tons.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1964
Number built 10 units
Estimated unit price NA
View full James Madison details

Improved Kilo

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
  • 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 18 torpedoes
  • 4 Kalibr/Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile and anti-submarine missile (some versions)
  • 24 mines
  • 8 9K34 Strela-3 (SA-N-8 Gremlin) or 8 9K310 Igla-1 (SA-N-10 Gimlet) surface-to-air missiles

James Madison

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
  • 16 Polaris A3 or Poseidon C3 or Trident I C4 missiles
  • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 12 torpedoes

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or James Madison-class?
The James Madison-class has greater displacement at 7,443 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or James Madison-class?
The James Madison-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or James Madison-class?
The James Madison-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Improved Kilo-class has a range of 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or James Madison-class?
The James Madison-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and James Madison-class have?
The James Madison-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or James Madison-class?
The James Madison-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 Improved Kilo-class or James Madison-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 10 vessels of the James Madison-class.

Related Comparisons

Improved Kilo vs Whiskey Improved Kilo vs Romeo Improved Kilo vs Foxtrot Improved Kilo vs Kilo Improved Kilo vs Type 209 Improved Kilo vs Los Angeles
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