GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily

Kirov vs Virginia

Change comparison vs
Specifications
Kirov Virginia
Origin 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇺🇸 United States
Category Cruiser Cruiser
Type Heavy guided-missile cruiser / battlecruiser Nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser
Manufacturer Baltic Shipyard Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company
Year introduced 1980 1976
Number built 4 units 4 units
Estimated unit price NA $675 million
Displacement 28,000 tons 11,853 tons
Maximum speed 32.0 knots 30.0 knots
Range Unlimited Unlimited
Length 252.0 m 179.0 m
Beam 28.5 m 19.0 m
Crew 710 579
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Kirov Virginia
Armament
  • 20 × P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) AShM
  • 96 × S-300F Fort (SA-N-6 Grumble) surface-to-air missiles
  • 48 × S-300F Fort and 48 S-300FM Fort-M (SA-N-20 Gargoyle) long-range SAM
  • 64 × 3K95 Kinzhal (SA-N-9 Gauntlet) point defense SAM
  • 40 × OSA-MA (SA-N-4 Gecko) PD SAM
  • 1 × twin AK-130 130 mm/L70 dual-purpose gun
  • 8 × AK-630 six-barreled Gatling 30 mm/L60 PD guns
  • 6 × CADS-N-1 Kortik gun/missile system
  • 2 × 6 RBU-1000 305 mm ASW rocket launchers
  • 1 × 10 (Udav-1) 254 mm ASW rocket launchers
  • 10 × 533 mm ASW/ASuW torpedo tubes
  • 2 × Mk 26 missile launchers for 68 missiles (RIM-66 Standard Missiles (MR) / RUR-5 ASROC)
  • 8 × Tomahawk missile (from 2 armored-box launchers)
  • 8 × RGM-84 Harpoon (from two Mk-141 quad launchers)
  • 4 × Mk 46 torpedoes (from fixed single tubes)
  • 2 × Mk-45 5-inch/54 caliber rapid-fire gun
  • 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
  • 2 × 25 mm Mk 38 chain guns
  • 6 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) M2 machine guns
Propulsion 2-shaft CONAS, 2× KN-3 nuclear marine propulsion with 2× GT3A-688 steam turbines 140,000 shp (100,000 kW) 2 General Electric D2G nuclear reactors, two shafts, 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)

Overview

The Kirov and the Virginia are both Cruiser classes.

The Kirov displaces 28,000 tons — 2.4x the Virginia's 11,853 tons. The Kirov reaches 32 knots vs 30 knots for the Virginia. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Kirov vs 99,999 for the Virginia. The Kirov carries a crew of 710 vs 579 for the Virginia.

The Kirov was produced in 4 units vs 4 for the Virginia. The Kirov was commissioned in 1980, 4 years after the Virginia (1976).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Kirov-class or Virginia-class?
The Kirov-class has greater displacement at 28,000 tons compared to the Virginia-class's 11,853 tons.
Which is faster, the Kirov-class or Virginia-class?
The Kirov-class is faster with a maximum speed of 32 knots compared to the Virginia-class's 30 knots.
Which has longer range, the Kirov-class or Virginia-class?
Both the Kirov-class and Virginia-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Kirov-class or Virginia-class?
The Kirov-class is longer at 252.0 meters compared to the Virginia-class's 179.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Kirov-class and Virginia-class have?
The Kirov-class has a larger crew complement of 710 compared to the Virginia-class's 579 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kirov-class or Virginia-class?
Both the Kirov-class and Virginia-class have been built in equal numbers with 4 vessels each.