Lafayette vs Alfa
Overview
The Lafayette and the Alfa are both Submarine classes.
The Lafayette displaces 7,443 tons — 3.2x the Alfa's 2,300 tons. The Lafayette reaches 16 knots vs 12 knots for the Alfa. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Lafayette vs 99,999 for the Alfa. The Lafayette carries a crew of 140 vs 31 for the Alfa. Submerged displacement is 8,383 tons for the Lafayette vs 3,200 tons for the Alfa. The Lafayette can dive to 400 m compared to 400 m for the Alfa.
The Lafayette was produced in 9 units vs 7 for the Alfa. The Lafayette was commissioned in 1963, 8 years before the Alfa (1971).
| 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 |
| 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 |
|
| Displacement | 2,300 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 12.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | Unlimited ◉ |
| Length | 81.4 m ◉ |
| Beam | 9.5 m ◉ |
| Crew | 31 ◉ |
| Max depth | 400 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | OK-550 or BM-40A, 155-MWt Lead-bismuth cooled, beryllium-moderated reactor; 40,000 shp (30,000 kW) steam turbine, one shaft |
| Armament |
|
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has greater displacement, the Lafayette-class or Alfa-class?
The Lafayette-class has greater displacement at 7,443 tons compared to the Alfa-class's 2,300 tons.
Which is faster, the Lafayette-class or Alfa-class?
The Lafayette-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Alfa-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Lafayette-class or Alfa-class?
Both the Lafayette-class and Alfa-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Lafayette-class or Alfa-class?
The Lafayette-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Alfa-class's 81.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Lafayette-class and Alfa-class have?
The Lafayette-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Alfa-class's 31 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Lafayette-class or Alfa-class?
The Alfa-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Lafayette-class's 400 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Lafayette-class or Alfa-class?
The Lafayette-class has been built in greater numbers with 9 vessels compared to 7 vessels of the Alfa-class.