Lafayette vs Le Redoutable

American submarine, introduced in 1963, displaced 7,443 tons and carried ballistic missiles.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1963
Number built 9 units
Estimated unit price NA
French ballistic missile submarine, introduced in 1971, displaced 8,000 tons when submerged.
Origin 🇫🇷 France
Category Submarine
Type Ballistic missile submarine
Manufacturer Arsenal de Cherbourg (DCAN)
Year introduced 1971
Number built 6 units
Estimated unit price NA
Displacement 7,443 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 16.0 knots â—‰
Range 99,999 nm â—‰
Length 130.0 m â—‰
Beam 10.0 m â—‰
Crew 140 â—‰
Max depth 400 m â—‰
Propulsion 1 × S5W PWR, 2 geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft
Armament
  • 16 Polaris A2/A3 or Poseidon C3 missiles
  • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 12 torpedoes
Displacement 8,000 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 15.0 knots â—‰
Range 99,999 nm â—‰
Length 128.0 m â—‰
Beam 10.6 m â—‰
Crew 135 â—‰
Max depth 200 m â—‰
Propulsion One PWR 16,000 shp (12,000 kW), HEU <= 90%
Armament
  • 16 × M4 MSBS (Mer-Sol Balistique Stratégique) nuclear missiles
  • 4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • F-17 and L-5 torpedoes
  • SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Le Redoutable-class has greater displacement at 8,000 tons compared to the Lafayette-class's 7,443 tons.
Which is faster, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 15 knots.
Which has longer range, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
Both the Lafayette-class and Le Redoutable-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 128.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Lafayette-class and Le Redoutable-class have?
The Lafayette-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 135 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 200 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class has been built in greater numbers with 9 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Le Redoutable-class.