Narwhal vs Type 209

The Narwhal and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. The Narwhal displaces 5,027 tons — 3.9x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Narwhal reaches 20 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Narwhal vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Narwhal carries a crew of 107 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 5,378 tons for the Narwhal vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 400 m for the Narwhal. The Narwhal was produced in 1 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Narwhal was commissioned in 1969, 2 years before the Type 209 (1971).

American nuclear submarine, 1969 introduction year, powered by an S5G pressurized water reactor.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1969
Number built 1 unit
Estimated unit price NA
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
Displacement 5,027 tons
Maximum speed 20.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 95.9 m
Beam 10.0 m
Crew 107
Max depth 400 m
Propulsion 1 × S5G pressurized water reactor; 1 × steam turbine, 17,000 shp (13,000 kW); 1 shaft
Armament
  • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • SUBROC
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 45 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes
  • Mines
  • Tomahawk missiles
  • Harpoon missiles
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
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Narwhal-class or Type 209-class?
The Narwhal-class has greater displacement at 5,027 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Narwhal-class or Type 209-class?
The Narwhal-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Narwhal-class or Type 209-class?
The Narwhal-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Narwhal-class or Type 209-class?
The Narwhal-class is longer at 95.9 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Narwhal-class and Type 209-class have?
The Narwhal-class has a larger crew complement of 107 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Narwhal-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Narwhal-class's 400 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Narwhal-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 1 vessels of the Narwhal-class.