GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Narwhal vs Swiftsure

Swiftsure submarine side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Swiftsure
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Narwhal Swiftsure
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. (VSEL)
Year introduced 1969 1973
Number built 1 unit 6 units
Estimated unit price NA NA
Displacement 5,027 tons 4,400 tons
Maximum speed 20.0 knots 20.0 knots
Range Unlimited Unlimited
Length 95.9 m 82.9 m
Beam 10.0 m 9.8 m
Crew 107 116
Max depth 400 m 300 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Narwhal Swiftsure
Armament
  • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • SUBROC
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 45 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes
  • Mines
  • Tomahawk missiles
  • Harpoon missiles
  • 5 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Spearfish torpedoes
  • RN Sub Harpoon missiles
  • Tomahawk missiles
Propulsion 1 × S5G pressurized water reactor; 1 × steam turbine, 17,000 shp (13,000 kW); 1 shaft Nuclear Reactor, shrouded pump-jet propulsors

Overview

The Narwhal and the Swiftsure are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 5,027 tons for the Narwhal vs 4,400 tons for the Swiftsure. The Narwhal reaches 20 knots vs 20 knots for the Swiftsure. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Narwhal vs 99,999 for the Swiftsure. The Narwhal carries a crew of 107 vs 116 for the Swiftsure. Submerged displacement is 5,378 tons for the Narwhal vs 4,900 tons for the Swiftsure. The Narwhal can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Swiftsure.

The Narwhal was produced in 1 units vs 6 for the Swiftsure. The Narwhal was commissioned in 1969, 4 years before the Swiftsure (1973).

Related Comparisons
Narwhal vs Whiskey Narwhal vs Romeo Narwhal vs Foxtrot Narwhal vs Improved Kilo Narwhal vs Kilo Narwhal vs Type 209

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Narwhal-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Narwhal-class has greater displacement at 5,027 tons compared to the Swiftsure-class's 4,400 tons.
Which is faster, the Narwhal-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Narwhal-class's 20 knots.
Which has longer range, the Narwhal-class or Swiftsure-class?
Both the Narwhal-class and Swiftsure-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Narwhal-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Narwhal-class is longer at 95.9 meters compared to the Swiftsure-class's 82.9 meters.
How many crew members do the Narwhal-class and Swiftsure-class have?
The Swiftsure-class has a larger crew complement of 116 compared to the Narwhal-class's 107 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Narwhal-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Narwhal-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Swiftsure-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Narwhal-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class has been built in greater numbers with 6 vessels compared to 1 vessels of the Narwhal-class.