Lafayette vs Type 209
The Lafayette and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. The Lafayette displaces 7,443 tons — 5.8x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Lafayette reaches 16 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Lafayette vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Lafayette carries a crew of 140 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 8,383 tons for the Lafayette vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 400 m for the Lafayette. The Lafayette was produced in 9 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Lafayette was commissioned in 1963, 8 years before the Type 209 (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 | 1,285 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 11.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | 11,000 nm at 10 knots ◉ |
| Length | 64.4 m ◉ |
| Beam | 6.5 m ◉ |
| Crew | 36 ◉ |
| Max depth | 500 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW) |
| Armament |
|
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has greater displacement, the Lafayette-class or Type 209-class?
The Lafayette-class has greater displacement at 7,443 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Lafayette-class or Type 209-class?
The Lafayette-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Lafayette-class or Type 209-class?
The Lafayette-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Lafayette-class or Type 209-class?
The Lafayette-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Lafayette-class and Type 209-class have?
The Lafayette-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Lafayette-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Lafayette-class's 400 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Lafayette-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 9 vessels of the Lafayette-class.