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Type 214 vs Virginia

Overview

The Type 214 and the Virginia are both Submarine classes.

The Virginia displaces 6,930 tons — 4.1x the Type 214's 1,690 tons. The Type 214 reaches 12 knots vs 15 knots for the Virginia. Operational range is 12,000 nautical miles for the Type 214 vs 99,999 for the Virginia. The Type 214 carries a crew of 27 vs 135 for the Virginia. Submerged displacement is 1,860 tons for the Type 214 vs 7,900 tons for the Virginia. The Type 214 can dive to 400 m compared to 240 m for the Virginia.

The Type 214 was produced in 16 units vs 26 for the Virginia. Cost per hull is $330M for the Type 214 vs $2,800M for the Virginia. The Type 214 was commissioned in 2007, 3 years after the Virginia (2004).

Type 214

German export attack submarine with fuel cell AIP, serving Greece, South Korea, Portugal and Turkey.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW)
Year introduced 2007
Number built 16 units
Estimated unit price $330 million
View full Type 214 details

Virginia

United States submarine, introduced in 2004, utilizes a pump-jet propulsor.
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
View full Virginia details

Type 214

Displacement 1,690 tons ◉
Maximum speed 12.0 knots ◉
Range 12,000 nm ◉
Length 65.0 m ◉
Beam 6.3 m ◉
Crew 27 ◉
Max depth 400 m ◉
Propulsion Diesel-electric with fuel cell air-independent propulsion (AIP)
Armament
  • 8 × 533 mm torpedo tubes (4 capable of firing Sub-Harpoon missiles)
  • Heavyweight torpedoes and naval mines

Virginia

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 Type 214-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has greater displacement at 6,930 tons compared to the Type 214-class's 1,690 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 214-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Type 214-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 214-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 214-class has a range of 12,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 214-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is longer at 115.0 meters compared to the Type 214-class's 65.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 214-class and Virginia-class have?
The Virginia-class has a larger crew complement of 135 compared to the Type 214-class's 27 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Type 214-class or Virginia-class?
The Type 214-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Virginia-class's 240 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Type 214-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is more expensive at approximately $2.8 billion per unit compared to the Type 214-class at $330 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 214-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has been built in greater numbers with 26 vessels compared to 16 vessels of the Type 214-class.

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