Was doing some searching on the forums for something else and this thread came up.

The Astute v Virginia question was answered in 2012.

The winner being HMS Astute.

During the exercises HMS Astute Commanded by Cdr Iain Breckenridge (formerly CO of HMS Tireless & XO on HMS Superb) had many American dignitaries onboard.



https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hms-astute-arrives-home-from-us-sea-trials--2#:~:text=She%20'battled'%20against%20USS%20New,16 %2C400%20miles%20(26%2C400km).

Missing the Point
 

That's an insightful exercise. But, under highly controlled conditions we learn Virginia has a weakness. So? Virginia's mission not likely another fast boat like Astute. Probably needs to counter another carrier of sorts at high speed AND in conjunction with other assets like air assault or cruise missiles.

The thread's question is which sub is better and why.
Better at what? The question is defective, too broad.

Indeed and we also have to look at what the boats were designed for.

The Virginia is more general purpose a good all rounder while the astute is primary ASW it’s designed specifically to take down other submarines

Welcome back!
 

Head-to-Head
 

Had to come up for recharge! Ha!

The question piqued my interest because both boats are awfully similar, on the one hand. But, on the other hand, both in the fleet and in the civvy there's always an interest in a head-to-head contest between two subs. Who's better? Advantage?

Top Torp '92 settled this question when Key West went head to head with San Juan. It was San Juan that held superior silencing & sensor capability. But, Key West, returning from active deployment in the North Atlantic, held superior tactics. Both ships fired at about the same time. Both ships were in the Death Circle. Neither ship landed a hit.

In another scenario, Key West countered San Juan's torpedo with a snapshot. Both vessels got hit. Both destroyed. The New Sub should have been able to take out the Old Sub and survive. Didn't happen.

Now I would expect Astute to have an ASW advantage over Virginia. But if Top Torp '92's experience serves as a useful guide then both ships either destroy each other or wiggle away, avoiding the incoming torpedo.

So, back to the posted question: Which is better? Top Torp '92 says from experience that neither is better or either is better. No one really wants to find out, except under controlled exercises, like the ones we do in AUTEC.

Finally, I doubt the Soviets showed much interest in the matter either. Their performance enhancements were directed at keeping their Fast Attacks difficult to detect.

Stand off weapons are another fly in the ointment. But, I digress. Another topic for another thread.