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Ula vs Virginia

Virginia submarine side profile drawing
🇺🇸 Virginia
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Specifications
Ula Virginia
Origin 🇳🇴 Norway 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer Thyssen Nordseewerke General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1989 2004
Number built 6 units 26 units
Estimated unit price NA $2,800 million
Displacement 1,040 tons 6,930 tons
Maximum speed 11.0 knots 15.0 knots
Range 5,000 nm at 8 knots Unlimited
Length 59.0 m 115.0 m
Beam 5.4 m 10.0 m
Crew 21 135
Max depth 200 m 240 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Ula Virginia
Armament
  • 8 bow 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 14 Atlas Elektronik DM2A3 torpedoes
  • 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)
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 2 MTU 16V 396 diesel engines (970kW each), 1 propeller, 1 Siemens Permasyn "silent" electric motor 2,200 kW (3,000 hp) 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

Overview

The Ula and the Virginia are both Submarine classes.

The Virginia displaces 6,930 tons — 6.7x the Ula's 1,040 tons. The Ula reaches 11 knots vs 15 knots for the Virginia. Operational range is 5,000 nautical miles for the Ula vs 99,999 for the Virginia. The Ula carries a crew of 21 vs 135 for the Virginia. Submerged displacement is 1,150 tons for the Ula vs 7,900 tons for the Virginia. The Virginia can dive to 240 m compared to 200 m for the Ula.

The Ula was produced in 6 units vs 26 for the Virginia. The Ula was commissioned in 1989, 15 years before the Virginia (2004).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Ula-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has greater displacement at 6,930 tons compared to the Ula-class's 1,040 tons.
Which is faster, the Ula-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Ula-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Ula-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Ula-class has a range of 5,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Ula-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class is longer at 115.0 meters compared to the Ula-class's 59.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Ula-class and Virginia-class have?
The Virginia-class has a larger crew complement of 135 compared to the Ula-class's 21 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Ula-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 240 meters compared to the Ula-class's 200 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Ula-class or Virginia-class?
The Virginia-class has been built in greater numbers with 26 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Ula-class.