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Skipjack vs Type 209

Skipjack vs Type 209 at a glance — displacement 3,124 vs 1,285 tons, length 76 vs 64 m, speed 15 vs 11 knots, crew 93 vs 36.

Specifications
Skipjack Type 209
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1959 1971
Number built 6 units 68 units
Estimated unit price $40 million $285 million
Displacement 3,124 tons 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots 11.0 knots
Range Unlimited 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 76.7 m 64.4 m
Beam 9.6 m 6.5 m
Crew 93 36
Max depth 210 m 500 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Skipjack Type 209
Armament
  • 6 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (bow)
  • 24 × Mark 37, Mark 14, Mark 16, Mark 45 ASTOR nuclear, and/or Mark 48 torpedoes
  • 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
Propulsion 1 S5W reactor, geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Change comparison vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Skipjack-class or Type 209-class?
The Skipjack-class has greater displacement at 3,124 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Skipjack-class or Type 209-class?
The Skipjack-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Skipjack-class or Type 209-class?
The Skipjack-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Skipjack-class or Type 209-class?
The Skipjack-class is longer at 76.7 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Skipjack-class and Type 209-class have?
The Skipjack-class has a larger crew complement of 93 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Skipjack-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Skipjack-class's 210 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Skipjack-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is more expensive at approximately $285 million per unit compared to the Skipjack-class at $40 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Skipjack-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Skipjack-class.