Improved Kilo vs Seawolf

The Improved Kilo and the Seawolf are both Submarine classes. The Seawolf displaces 8,600 tons — 3.7x the Improved Kilo's 2,325 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 18 knots for the Seawolf. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the Seawolf. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 140 for the Seawolf. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 9,138 tons for the Seawolf. The Seawolf can dive to 490 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 3 for the Seawolf. Cost per hull is $200M for the Improved Kilo vs $3,000M for the Seawolf. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 17 years before the Seawolf (1997).

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
American nuclear attack submarine, entered service in 1997, uses a pump-jet propeller.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear attack submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1997
Number built 3 units
Estimated unit price $3,000 million
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
Displacement 8,600 tons
Maximum speed 18.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 108.0 m
Beam 12.0 m
Crew 140
Max depth 490 m
Propulsion 1 S6W PWR 220 MW (300,000 hp), 1 secondary propulsion submerged motor, 2 steam turbines 57,000 shp (43 MW), 1 shaft, 1 pump-jet propeller
Armament
  • 8 x 26.5-inch torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk land attack missile
  • Harpoon anti-ship missile
  • Mk 48 guided torpedo

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class has greater displacement at 8,600 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class is faster with a maximum speed of 18 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-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 Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class is longer at 108.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Seawolf-class have?
The Seawolf-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 Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 490 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Improved Kilo-class or Seawolf-class?
The Seawolf-class is more expensive at approximately $3.0 billion per unit compared to the Improved Kilo-class at $200 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Seawolf-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 3 vessels of the Seawolf-class.