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Sōryū vs Virginia

Overview

The Sōryū and the Virginia are both Submarine classes.

The Virginia displaces 6,930 tons — 2.4x the Sōryū's 2,900 tons. The Sōryū reaches 13 knots vs 15 knots for the Virginia. Operational range is 6,100 nautical miles for the Sōryū vs 99,999 for the Virginia. The Sōryū carries a crew of 65 vs 135 for the Virginia. Submerged displacement is 4,200 tons for the Sōryū vs 7,900 tons for the Virginia.

The Sōryū was produced in 12 units vs 26 for the Virginia. Cost per hull is $540M for the Sōryū vs $2,800M for the Virginia. The Sōryū was commissioned in 2009, 5 years after the Virginia (2004).

Japanese attack submarine, introduced in 2009, displaces 2,900 tons.
Profile of Sōryū
Origin 🇯🇵 Japan
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Year introduced 2009
Number built 12 units
Estimated unit price $540 million
United States submarine, introduced in 2004, utilizes a pump-jet propulsor.
Profile of Virginia
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 2004
Number built 26 units
Estimated unit price $2,800 million
Displacement 2,900 tons
Maximum speed 13.0 knots
Range 6,100 nm at 6 knots
Length 84.0 m
Beam 9.1 m
Crew 65
Max depth NA
Propulsion 1-shaft 2× Kawasaki 12V 25/25 SB-type diesel engines, 4× Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling engines (3,900 hp surfaced, 8,000 hp submerged)
Armament
  • 6 × HU-606 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Type 89 torpedo
  • Harpoon (missile)
  • Mines
Displacement 6,930 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 115.0 m
Beam 10.0 m
Crew 135
Max depth 240 m
Propulsion 1 × S9G nuclear reactor 280,000 hp (210 MW); 2 × steam turbines 40,000 shp (30 MW); 1 × single shaft pump-jet propulsor; 1 × secondary propulsion motor
Armament
  • 12 x VLS tubes (Tomahawk cruise missiles)
  • 2 x Virginia payload tubes (12 x Tomahawk BGM-109)
  • 4 x Virginia payload modules (28 x Tomahawk BGM-109)
  • 4 x 21" torpedo tubes (Mk-48 torpedoes or UGM-84 Harpoon missiles)

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Sōryū-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has greater displacement at 6,930 tons compared to the Sōryū-class's 2,900 tons.
Which is faster, the Sōryū-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Sōryū-class's 13 knots.
Which has longer range, the Sōryū-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Sōryū-class has a range of 6,100 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Sōryū-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is longer at 115.0 meters compared to the Sōryū-class's 84.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Sōryū-class and Virginia-class have?
The Virginia-class has a larger crew complement of 135 compared to the Sōryū-class's 65 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Sōryū-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is more expensive at approximately $2.8 billion per unit compared to the Sōryū-class at $540 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Sōryū-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has been built in greater numbers with 26 vessels compared to 12 vessels of the Sōryū-class.