Skipjack vs Type 209

Overview

The Skipjack and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

The Skipjack displaces 3,124 tons — 2.4x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Skipjack reaches 15 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Skipjack vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Skipjack carries a crew of 93 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 3,569 tons for the Skipjack vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 210 m for the Skipjack.

The Skipjack was produced in 6 units vs 68 for the Type 209. Cost per hull is $40M for the Skipjack vs $285M for the Type 209. The Skipjack was commissioned in 1959, 12 years before the Type 209 (1971).

Skipjack

American nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, introduced in 1959, displaced 3,124 tons.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered fast attack submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1959
Number built 6 units
Estimated unit price $40 million
View full Skipjack details

Type 209

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
View full Type 209 details

Skipjack

Displacement 3,124 tons ◉
Maximum speed 15.0 knots ◉
Range Unlimited ◉
Length 76.7 m ◉
Beam 9.6 m ◉
Crew 93 ◉
Max depth 210 m ◉
Propulsion 1 S5W reactor, geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft
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

Type 209

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 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.

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