Improved Kilo vs Skipjack

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Skipjack are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 3,124 tons for the Skipjack. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 15 knots for the Skipjack. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the Skipjack. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 93 for the Skipjack. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 3,569 tons for the Skipjack. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 210 m for the Skipjack.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 6 for the Skipjack. Cost per hull is $200M for the Improved Kilo vs $40M for the Skipjack. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 21 years after the Skipjack (1959).

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

Skipjack

American nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, introduced in 1959, displaced 3,124 tons.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered fast attack submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1959
Number built 6 units
Estimated unit price $40 million
View full Skipjack 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

Skipjack

Displacement 3,124 tons ◉
Maximum speed 15.0 knots ◉
Range Unlimited ◉
Length 76.7 m ◉
Beam 9.6 m ◉
Crew 93 ◉
Max depth 210 m ◉
Propulsion 1 S5W reactor, geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft
Armament
  • 6 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (bow)
  • 24 × Mark 37, Mark 14, Mark 16, Mark 45 ASTOR nuclear, and/or Mark 48 torpedoes

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Skipjack-class?
The Skipjack-class has greater displacement at 3,124 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Skipjack-class?
The Skipjack-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Skipjack-class?
The Skipjack-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 Skipjack-class?
The Skipjack-class is longer at 76.7 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Skipjack-class have?
The Skipjack-class has a larger crew complement of 93 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Skipjack-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Skipjack-class's 210 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Improved Kilo-class or Skipjack-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is more expensive at approximately $200 million per unit compared to the Skipjack-class at $40 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Skipjack-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Skipjack-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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