by James Jinks
Converted S Class high-speed target submarine
Units: HMS Satyr, HMS Sceptre, HMS Scotsman (various configurations, including one without a bridge fin), HMS Selene, HMS Seraph, HMS Sleuth, HMS Solent, HMS Statesman. Displacement: 794 tons surfaced / 875 tons submerged Dimensions: 217 ft × 15 ft × 23 ft, 11.5-in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes (deactivated) Machinery: Paxman high speed diesel generating set Speed: 12.5 kn submerged Diving Depth: 300–350 ft Complement: Varied In Service: 1948 – early 1960s
S Class SSK (post-war appearance with snort added)
Units: HMS Sanguine, HMS Scorcher, HMS Scythian, HMS Sea Devil, HMS Sea Scout, HMS Seneschal, HMS Sentinel, HMS Sidon, HMS Springer, HMS Sturdy, HMS Subtle, HMS Sirdar, HMS Spiteful, HMS Sportsman Displacement: 854 tons surfaced / 990 tons submerged Dimensions: 217 ft × 28 ft, 7 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Machinery: Diesel engines Speed: 14.5 kn surfaced / 9 kn submerged Range: 6,000 nm at 10 kn Diving Depth: 300–350 ft Complement: Varied In Service: 1949–1966
A Class SSK (1951 with snort added)
Units: HMS Amphion, HMS Astute, HMS Auriga, HMS Aurochs, HMS Alderney, HMS Alliance, HMS Ambush, HMS Anchorite, HMS Andrew, HMS Affray, HMS Aneas, HMS Alaric, HMS Artemis, HMS Artful, HMS Acheron, HMS Alcide Displacement: 1,120 tons standard / 1,375 tons normal / 1,443 tons full load / 1,610 tons submerged Dimensions: 279ft, 3 in × 22ft, 3 in × 17 ft, 1 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes / 4 × 21-in stern torpedo tubes 1 × 4-in/33 QF Mk 23; 1 × 20mm HA (Oerlikon) except Aeneas, Alliance 2 × 20mm HA (Oerlikon, 1 × 2); 3 × 0.303-in Vickers MG Machinery: Diesel engines, electric motors Range: 10,500 nm at 11 kn (surface) / 90 nm at 3 kn or 16 nm at 8 kn (submerged) Diving Depth: 500 ft Test Depth: 600 ft Complement: 61 In Service: 1945–1970s (modernized in 1950s)
Modified A Class SSK (1958 after streamlining)
Units: HMS Amphion, HMS Astute, HMS Auriga, HMS Alderney, HMS Alliance, HMS Ambush, HMS Anchorite, HMS Andrew, HMS Aneas, HMS Alaric, HMS Artemis, HMS Artful, HMS Acheron Displacement: 1,120 tons standard / 1,375 tons normal / 1,443 tons full load / 1,610 tons submerged Dimensions: 279 ft, 9 in × 22 ft, 3 in × 18 ft Armament: 66 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes / 4 × 21-in stern torpedo tubes / 1 × 4-in / 33 QF Mk 23 could be fitted if required Machinery: Diesel engines, electric motors Range: 11,000 nm at 11 kn (surface) / 114 nm at 3 kn (submerged) / 22 nm at 10 kn (submerged) Complement: 64 In Service: 1955–1972
T Class SSK (typical example of Group III)
Units (1945): HMS Talent, HMS Tally-Ho, HMS, Tantalus, HMS Templar, HMS Tireless, HMS Truculent, HMS Truncheon, HMS Taciturn, HMS Tantivy, HMS Telemachus, HMS Tradewind, HMS Trespasser, HMS Truant, HMS Thrasher, HMS Torbay, HMS Trident, HMS Taciturn, HMS Tapir, HMS Taurus, HMS Thorough, HMS Thule, HMS Tiptoe, HMS Totem, HMS Trenchant, HMS Trump, HMS Turpin, HMS Terrapin, HMS Tudor, HMS Tuna, HMS Taku, HMS Tribune, HMS Trusty, HMS Thermopylae, HMS Token, HMS Tabard, HMS Teredo Displacement: 1,090 tons standard / 1,320 tons normal / 1,424 tons full load Dimensions: 273 ft, 6 in × 26 ft, 7 in × 15ft, 10 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes / 1 × stern torpedo tube Machinery: Diesel engines, electric motors Range: 11,000 nm at 10 kn Diving Depth: 350 ft Complement: 50 In Service: 1945–1950 (the last unconverted T class left service in July 1963)
T Class SSK (late 1940s with snort added)
Units (1950): HMS Talent, HMS Tally-Ho, HMS, Tantalus, HMS Templar, HMS Tireless, HMS Truculent, HMS Truncheon, HMS Taciturn, HMS Tantivy, HMS Telemachus, HMS Tradewind, HMS Trespasser, HMS Thorough, HMS Thule, HMS Tiptoe, HMS Totem, HMS Trenchant, HMS Trump, HMS Turpin, HMS Tudor, HMS Thermopylae, HMS Token, HMS Tabard, HMS Teredo, Displacement: 1,090 tons standard / 1,320 tons normal / 1,424 tons full load Dimensions: 273 ft, 6 in × 26 ft, 7 in × 15 ft, 10 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes / 1 × stern torpedo tube Machinery: Diesel engines, electric motors Range: 11,000 nm at 10 kn Diving Depth: 350 ft Complement: 50 In Service: 1948–1950s
Streamlined T Class SSK
Units: HMS Tireless, HMS Token, HMS Tapir, HMS Teredo, HMS Talent Displacement: 1573 tons submerged Dimensions: 273 ft, 6 in × 26 ft, 7 in × 15ft, 10 in (max) Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Machinery: Diesel engines, electric motors Speed: 15.4 kn submerged Diving Depth: 350 ft Complement: 68 In Service: 1951–1963
Converted T Class SSK
Units: HMS Taciturn, HMS Turpin, HMS Thermopylae, HMS Totem, HMS Tabard, HMS Tiptoe, HMS Trump, HMS Truncheon Displacement: 1680 tons (dependent on submarine) Dimensions: 293 ft (dependent on submarine): HMS Taciturn lengthened by 14 ft; HMS Turpin, HMS Thermopylae and HMS Totem lengthened by 12 ft; HMS Tabard, HMS Tiptoe, HMS Trump and HMS Truncheon lengthened by 17 feet, 5 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Machinery: Diesel engines, electric motors Speed: 15.4 kn submerged (some exceeded this) Diving Depth: 350 ft Complement: 68 In Service: 1951–1974
HMS Meteorite
Units: HMS Meteorite Displacement: 312 tons surfaced / 337 tons submerged Dimensions: 136 ft-2 in × 10 ft-10 in × 14 ft-1 in Armament: 2 × bow torpedo tubes Machinery: 1 × Walter HTP drive Speed: 8.5 kn surfaced / 21.5 kn submerged Range: 3,000 nm surfaced at 8 kn / 150 nmi submerged at 20 kn Diving Depth: 395 ft Complement: 19 In Service: 1945–1949
Explorer Class Experimental Submarine
Units: HMS Explorer, HMS Excalibur Displacement: 1,086 tons surfaced / 1,203 tons submerged Dimensions: 225 ft, 6 in × 15 ft, 8 in × 14 ft, 5 in Armament: None Machinery: 2 × hydrogen peroxide experimental drive / diesel electric motors Speed: 26 kn surfaced / 26 kn submerged Diving Depth: 500 ft Complement: Approximately 45 In Service: 1956–1964
Porpoise/Oberon Class SSK
Units: Porpoise class – HMS Porpoise, HMS Rorqual, HMS Narwhal, HMS Grampus, HMS Finwhale, HMS Cachalot, HMS Sealion, HMS Walrus / Oberon class – HMS Oberon, HMS Orpheus, HMS Odin, HMS Olympus, HMS, Osiris, HMS Onslaught, HMS Otter, HMS Oracle, HMS Ocelot, HMS Otus, HMS Opossum, HMS Onyx and HMS Opportune Displacement: 2450 tons Dimensions: 295 ft, 2 in × 26 ft, 5 in × 18 ft Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Machinery: Diesel engines, electric motors; 2 screws Fuel: Diesel oil Diving Depth: Over 150 ft Complement: 71 In Service: 1956–1994
Dreadnought Class SSN
Units: HMS Dreadnought Displacement: 3,500 tons surfaced / 4,000 tons submerged Dimensions: 265 ft, 9 in × 32 ft, 3 in × 26 ft Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Reactors: 1 × Westinghouse S5W pressurized water reactor Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Speed: 20 kn surfaced / 28 kn submerged Diving Depth: 700 ft Complement: 88 In Service: 1959–1980
Valiant Class SSN
Units: HMS Valiant, HMS Warspite / repeat valiants: HMS Conqueror, HMS Courageous, HMS Churchill Displacement: 4,400 tons surfaced / 4,900 tons submerged Dimensions: 285 ft × 33 ft, 3 in × 27 ft Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Reactors: 1 × Rolls Royce pressurized water reactor 1 Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Speed: 20 kn surfaced / 29 kn submerged Diving Depth: 750 ft Complement: 103 In Service: 1966–1994
Resolution Class SSBN
Units: HMS Resolution, HMS Repulse, HMS Renown, HMS Revenge Displacement: 7,500 tons surfaced / 8,500 tons submerged Dimensions: 425 ft × 33 ft × 30 ft Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes / 16 × submarine launched ballistic missile tubes Reactors: 1 × Rolls Royce pressurized water reactor 1 Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Speed: 15 kn surfaced Diving Depth: 750 ft Complement: 143 In Service: 1968–1996
Swiftsure Class SSN
Units: HMS Swiftsure, HMS Sovereign, HMS Superb, HMS Sceptre, HMS Spartan, HMS Splendid Displacement: 4,400 tons surfaced / 4,900 tons submerged Dimensions: 272 ft × 32 ft, 4 in × 27 ft Armament: 5 × 21-inch bow torpedo tubes Reactors: 1 × Rolls Royce pressurized water reactor 1 Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Speed: Classified Diving Depth: 1,250 ft Complement: 116 In Service: 1973–2010
Trafalgar Class SSN
Units: HMS Trafalgar, HMS Turbulent, HMS Tireless, HMS Torbay, HMS Trenchant, HMS Talent, HMS Triumph Displacement: 4,740 tons surfaced / 5,210 t
ons submerged Dimensions: 280 ft × 32 ft × 31 ft Armament: 5 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Reactors: 1 × Rolls Royce pressurized water reactor 1 Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Speed: Classified Diving Depth: 1,250 ft Complement: 130 In Service: 1982 – present
Vanguard Class SSBN
Units: HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant, HMS Vengeance Displacement: 15,900 tons (submerged) Dimensions: 491 ft, 10 in × 42 ft × 39 ft Armament: 4 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes Reactors: 1 × Rolls Royce pressurized water reactor 2 Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Speed: Classified Diving Depth: Classified Complement: 135 In Service: 1993 – present
Upholder Class SSK
Units: HMS Upholder Displacement: 2,205 tons surfaced / 2,465 tons submerged Dimensions: 230 ft × 24 ft × 25 ft Armament: 6 × 21-in torpedo tubes Machinery: Supercharged Paxman Ventura diesel engines / electric motors Fuel: Diesel Oil Speed: 20 kn Diving Depth: 820 ft Complement: 46 In Service: 1990–1994
Astute Class SSN
Units: HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious, HMS Anson, HMS Agamemnon Displacement: 7,000 tons surfaced / 7,400 tons submerged Dimensions: 318 ft × 37 ft × 33 ft Armament: 6 × 21-inch torpedo tubes; Tomahawk land attack missiles Reactors: 1 × Rolls Royce pressurized water reactor 2 Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Speed: Classified Diving Depth: Classified Complement: 89 In Service: 2010 – present
SOVIET/RUSSIAN NAVY 1945 – Today
Whiskey Class medium range SSK
Units: 236 Displacement: 1,055 tons surfaced / 1350 tons submerged Dimensions: 249 ft, 2 in × 20 ft, 8 in × 15 ft, 1 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern) Machinery: 2 diesel engines; 4,000 bhp / 2 × electric motors; 2,700 shp / 2 × electric creeping motors; 100 shp / 2 shafts Speed: 18.25 kn surfaced / 7 kn surfaced snorkeling / 13 kn submerged Range: 22,000 nm surfaced at 9 kn / 443 nm submerged at 2 kn Diving Depth: 655 ft Complement: 52 In Service: 1951 – mid 1990s
Zulu Class long range SSK
Units: 25 (20 × SSK / 5 × SSB) Displacement: 1,830 tons surfaced / 2,600 tons submerged Dimensions: 296 ft, 10 in × 24 ft, 7 in × 16 ft, 5 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes / 4 × stern torpedo tubes / 5 units converted to SSB, fitted with enlarged sail for 2 × missiles Machinery: 3 × 37D diesel engines; 6,000 bhp / 3 × electric motors; 5,300 shp / 3 shafts (4-bladed propellers) Speed: 17 kn surfaced / 15 kn submerged Range: 20,000 nm surfaced at economical speed / 9,500 nm on snorkel at 8 kn Diving Depth: 655 ft Complement: 72 In Service: 1954 – mid 1990s (Zulu V last in service)
Juliett SSG
Units: 16 Displacement: 3,140 tons surfaced / 4,240 tons submerged Dimensions: 281 ft, 9 in × 31 ft, 10 in × 22 ft, 8 in Armament: 6 × 21-in bow torpedo tubes / 4 × stern torpedo tubes / 4 × submarine launched cruise missile (SLCM) tubes Machinery: 2 diesel engines, 4,000 bhp; 2 × electric motors, 12,000 bhp / 2 shafts Speed: 16 kn surfaced / 18 kn submerged Range: 9,000 nm at 7 kn Diving Depth: 985 ft Complement: 78 In Service: 1963 – early 1990s
Romeo medium range SSK
Units: 20 Displacement: 1,330 tons surfaced / 1,730 tons submerged Dimensions: 251 ft, 3 in × 21 ft, 3 in × 15 ft, 1 in Armament: 6 × 533mm bow torpedo tubes / 2 × 533mm stern torpedo tubes Machinery: 2 × diesel engines Speed: 15.5 kn surfaced / 13 kn submerged Range: 9,000 nm on snorkel at 9 kn / 350 nm submerged at 2 kn Diving Depth: 985 ft Complement: 52 In Service: 1959 – late 1980s
Foxtrot long range SSK
Units: 40 Displacement: 1,950 tons surfaced / 2,400 tons submerged Dimensions: 299 ft, 6 in × 24 ft, 7 in × 16 ft, 9 in Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 4 × stern torpedo tubes Machinery: 3 × diesel engines Speed: 16 kn surfaced / 15.5 kn submerged Range: 20,000 nm surfaced at economical speed / 17,900 nm on snorkel at 8 kn / 400 nm submerged at 2 kn Diving Depth: 985 ft Complement: 78 In Service: 1958 – early 1990s
Golf SSB
Units: 22 (9 × Golf 1s / 13 × Golf 11s) Displacement: 2,850 tons surfaced / 3,610 tons submerged Dimensions: 324 ft, 5 in × 26 ft, 11 in × 26 ft, 7 in Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 4 × stern torpedo tubes / 3 × SLBM tubes (differed in later configurations) Machinery: 3 × diesel engines / 3 × electric motors / 3 shafts Speed: 14.5 kn surfaced / 12.5 kn submerged Range: 9,000 nm on snorkel at 5 kn Diving Depth: 985 ft Complement: 83 In Service: 1959 – early 1990s
Hotel SSBN (first generation)
Units: 8 Displacement: 4,080 tons surfaced / 5,240 tons submerged Dimensions: 373 ft, 11 in × 30 ft, 2 in × 25 ft, 3 in Armament: 4 × bow torpedo tubes / 2 × stern torpedo tubes Reactors: 2 × pressurized water reactors Speed: 18 kn surfaced / 26 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Dept: 985 ft Complement: 104 In Service: 1960 – mid 1990s
Echo SSGN (first generation); Echo ll pictured here
Units: 34 (5 × Echo 1 / 29 × Echo 11) Displacement: 4,415 tons surfaced / 5,737 tons submerged Dimensions: 378 ft, 6 in × 30 ft, 6 in × 23 ft Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 2 × stern torpedo tubes / 8 SLCM tubes Reactors: 2 × pressurized water reactors Speed: 14 kn surfaced / 22.7 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Dept: 985 Complement: Approximately 90 In Service: 1961 – mid 1990s
November Class SSN (first generation)
Units: 13 (including K-2, the first Soviet nuclear submarine, which is sometimes referred to as an ‘experimental’ submarine) Displacement: 3,087 tons surfaced / 3,986 tons submerged Dimensions: 352 ft, 3 in × 26 ft, 1 in × 21 ft Armament: 8 × bow torpedo tubes Reactors: 2 × pressurized water reactor / 2 × steam turbines; 35,000 shp / 2 shafts (4 or 6 bladed propellers) Speed: 16 kn surfaced / 30 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 985 ft Complement: 110 In Service: 1958 – early 1990s
Tango medium range SSK
Units: 18 Displacement: 2,640 tons surfaced / 3,560 tons submerged Dimensions: 295 ft, 10 in × 28 ft, 3 in × 18 ft, 8 in Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 4 × stern torpedo tubes Machinery: 3 × diesel engines; 5,570 bhp / 3 × electric motors; 8,100 shp / 3 shafts (5 bladed propellers) Speed: 13 kn surfaced / 15 kn submerged Range: 14,000 nm on snorkel at 7 kn / 450 nm submerged at 2.5 kn Diving Depth: 985 ft Complement: 78 In Service: 1973 – early 2000s
Yankee Class SSBN (second generation)
Units: 34 Displacement: 7,760 tons surfaced / 9,600 tons submerged Dimensions: 420 ft × 38 ft, 4 in × 26 ft Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 16 × SLBM tubes in Yankee I / 12 × SLBM tubes in Yankee II Reactors: 2 pressurized water reactors / 2 steam turbines / 2 × shafts, 5 bladed propellers Speed: 15 kn surfaced / 28 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 1,475 ft Complement: 120 In Service: 1967 – early 1990s
Victor Class SSN (second generation)
Units: 23 (15 × Victor 1 / 7 × Victor 11) Displacement: 3,650 tons surfaced / 4,830 tons submerged Dimensions: 305 ft × 34 ft, 9 in × 23 ft, 7 in Armament: 4 × bow torpedo tubes / 2 × stern torpedo tubes Reactors: 2 × pressurized water reactor / 1 × steam turbine / 1 × shaft Speed: 12 kn surfaced / 33 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 1,300 ft Complement: 76 In Service: 1967 – early 2000s
Delta I Class SSBN (second generation)
Units: 22 (18 × Delta 1 / 4 × Delta 11) Displacement: 8,900 tons surfaced / 11,000 tons submerged Dimensions: 456 ft × 38 ft, 4 in × 27 ft, 6 in Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 12 × SLBM tubes Reactors: 2 × pressurized water reactors Speed: 15 kn surfaced / 26 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 1,475 ft Complement: 120 In Service: 1972 – mid 1990s
Charlie Class SSGN (second generation); Charlie I pictured here
Units: 17 (11 × Charlie 1 / 6 × Charlie 11) Displacement: 3,580 tons surfaced / 4,550 tons submerged Dimensions: 309 ft, 4 in × 32 ft, 6 in × 24 ft, 7 in Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 8 SLCM tubes (SS-N-7) Reactors: 1 × pressurized water reactor / 1 × steam turbine; 18,800 hp / 1 × shaft Speed: 26 kn submerged Range: Depe
ndent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 1,150 ft Complement: 90 In Service: 1996 – mid 1990s
Delta III Class SSBN (second generation)
Units: 14 Displacement: 10,600 tons surfaced / 13,000 tons submerged Dimensions: 508 ft, 6 in × 38 ft, 4 in × 28 ft, 6 in Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes / 16 × SLBM tubes Reactors: 2 × pressurized water reactors Speed: 14 kn surfaced / 24 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 1,300 ft Complement: 130 In Service: 1976 – present
Victor III Class SSN (second generation)
Units: 25 Displacement: 4,750 tons surfaced / 5,980 tons submerged Dimensions: 351 ft, 4 in × 34 ft, 9 in × 26 ft, 3 in Armament: 6 × bow torpedo tubes Reactors: 2 × pressurized water reactor / 1 × steam turbine / 1 × shaft Speed: 18 kn surfaced / 31 kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 1,300 ft Complement: 82 In Service: 1977 – present (as of 2015 4 Victor IIIs remain in service with the Russian Navy)
Oscar Class SSGN (third generation); Oscar II pictured here
Units: 13 (2 × Oscar 1 / 10 × Oscar 11) Displacement: 12,500 tons surfaced / 22,500 tons submerged Dimensions: 472 ft, 4 in × 59 ft, 8 in × 30 ft, 2 in Armament: 8 × bow torpedo tubes / 24 × SLCM tubes (24 SS-N-19 missiles) Reactors: 2 × OK-560b pressurized water reactors Speed: 15 kn surfaced / 30+ kn submerged Range: Dependent on reactor core life and crew supplies Diving Depth: 600m Complement: 107 In Service: 1980 – present
