No 2. Akula II Class – Soviet Union
| Units built | 15 |
| Active | 9 |
| Speed | 12 knots – Surfaced33 knots – Submerged |
| Endurance | 100 days |
| Range | Effectively unlimited |
| Weapons carried | 4 x 650 mm and 4 x 533-mm torpedo tubes for up to 40 torpedoes or missiles
OR Up to 42 mines in place of torpedoes |
First built in 1991, the Akula II is the improved version of Akula. The Akula II, was in one way, better than Akula in noise reduction systems and this was a great concern for the West, as they considered acoustics the most significant advantage in US submarine technology.
No 1. Virginia Class – USA
| Units built | 7 |
| Active | 7 |
| Speed | 25+ knots |
| Endurance | Effectively unlimited |
| Range | Effectively unlimited |
| Weapons carried | 12 x vertical launch system tubes for UGM-109 Tomahawk missiles4 x 533-mm bow tubes for Mk.48 torpedoes
OR Smart mines in place of torpedoes |
These were designed to replace the ageing Los Angeles class submarines. The Virginia-class incorporates several innovations not previously seen in other submarine classes. Instead of a traditional periscope, the class utilizes a pair of telescoping photonics masts located outside the pressure hull. Each mast contains high-resolution cameras, along with light-intensification and infrared sensors, an infrared laser rangefinder, and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIM_cezEQYU[/youtube]
