Thresher vs Type 209

The Thresher and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. The Thresher displaces 3,810 tons — 3.0x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Thresher reaches 15 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Thresher vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Thresher carries a crew of 112 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 4,369 tons for the Thresher vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 400 m for the Thresher. The Thresher was produced in 14 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Thresher was commissioned in 1961, 10 years before the Type 209 (1971).

American nuclear submarine, 3,810 tons displacement, propelled by a 15,000 shp S5W reactor.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear submarine
Manufacturer Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Year introduced 1961
Number built 14 units
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 3,810 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 84.9 m
Beam 9.6 m
Crew 112
Max depth 400 m
Propulsion 1 S5W PWR, 2 steam turbines, 15,000 shp (11 MW), 1 shaft
Armament
  • 4 × 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes amidships
  • 12-18 × Mark 37 torpedoes (later Mark 48s)
  • 4-6 × UUM-44 SUBROC anti-submarine missiles
  • 4 × UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship 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 Thresher-class or Type 209-class?
The Thresher-class has greater displacement at 3,810 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Thresher-class or Type 209-class?
The Thresher-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Thresher-class or Type 209-class?
The Thresher-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Thresher-class or Type 209-class?
The Thresher-class is longer at 84.9 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Thresher-class and Type 209-class have?
The Thresher-class has a larger crew complement of 112 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Thresher-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Thresher-class's 400 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Thresher-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 14 vessels of the Thresher-class.