FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Astute-class submarinelarger figure on 0 of 3
Columbia-class submarinelarger figure on 3 of 3
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Submerged
Single sourceAstute class · Displacement
Single sourceSurfaced
Single sourceSurfaced: 7,000 to 7,400 t (6,900 to 7,300 long tons) Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,300 to 7,700 long tons)[source]
7,400 tonnes[source]Astute class
Submerged
Single source20,810 long tons (21,140 t) (submerged)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Configuration
| Specification | Astute-class submarine | Columbia-class submarine |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Unlimited[source] | Unlimited[source] |
| Power | — | S1B[source] |
| Name | Astute class[source] | — |
| Builders | BAE Systems Submarines , Barrow-in-Furness[source] | — |
| Operators | Royal Navy[source] | — |
| Preceded by | Trafalgar class[source] | Ohio class (ballistic missile submarine variant)[source] |
| Succeeded by | SSN-AUKUS (First design contract awarded)[source] | — |
| Cost | Over £ 1.65 billion per boat (2015 est.)[source] | US$ 109.8 billion for 12 boats (FY2021, projected) US$ 9.15 billion per unit (FY2021, projected)[source] |
| Built | 2001–present[source] | 2020–present[source] |
| In commission | 2010–present[source] | — |
| Planned | 12[source] | |
| Building | ||
| Completed | — | |
| Active | — | |
| Type | Nuclear-powered attack submarine[source] | Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)[source] |
| Propulsion | 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR 2 nuclear reactor MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators[source] | Turbo-electric drive, pump-jet[source] |
| Endurance | Unlimited in terms of propulsion, air and water, but otherwise typically 90 days, based on the amount of food carried and endurance of the crew[source] | — |
| Test depth | Over 300 m (980 ft)[source] | — |
| Sensors & processing systems | Thales Sonar 2076 Atlas DESO 25 echosounder 2 × Thales CM010 optronic masts Raytheon Successor IFF[source] | Enlarged version of the Virginia -class LAB sonar[source] |
| Armament | 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons: Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes[source] | 16 × Trident D5 and torpedo tubes[source] |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom[source] | United States[source] |
| On order | — | |
| Manufacturer | — | General Dynamics Electric Boat[source]Columbia class · District of Columbia SSBN-826 construction |