BAE Systems Astute class vs General Dynamics Electric Boat Virginia-class Submarine
BAE Systems Astute class and General Dynamics Electric Boat Virginia-class Submarine are both submarine, compared here on public specifications. The BAE Systems Astute class leads on test depth (300 vs 240 m).
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Full data
Full spec sheet
 BAE Systems Astute class
Wins 4/5 |  General Dynamics Electric Boat Virginia-class Submarine
Wins 1/5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Firepower | ||
| Ammunition | 38 | N/A |
| VLS cells | N/A | 12 |
| Torpedo tubes | 6 ✓ | 4 |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 97 m | 114.9 m |
| Naval | ||
| Displacement (t) | 7,400 t | 7,900 t |
| Full-load displacement (t) | 7,800 t | N/A |
| Max speed (kn) | N/A | 25 kn |
| Submerged speed (kn) | 29 kn ✓ | 25 kn |
| Endurance (days) | 90 days | N/A |
| Test depth (m) | 300 m ✓ | 240 m |
| Complement | 98 | 135 |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $1,900,000,000 ✓ | $3,450,000,000 |
| Units built | 5 | 24 ✓ |
| Operator countries | 1 | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the lower public unit-cost figure at 1,900,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher test depth? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the higher test depth at 300 m.
Which has the higher torpedo tubes? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the higher torpedo tubes at 6.
Which has the higher submerged speed? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the higher submerged speed at 29 kn.
Which has the higher units built? +
The General Dynamics Electric Boat Virginia-class Submarine has the higher units built at 24.
Which has the higher operator countries? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the higher operator countries at 1.
Is the BAE Systems Astute class better than the General Dynamics Electric Boat Virginia-class Submarine? +
On the public specs we track, the BAE Systems Astute class leads on 4 of 6 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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