America's Virginia-Class Submarine vs. Russia's Lethal Yasen: Who Wins?

[jadervason]

With only a cursory knowledge of the two vessels, assuming both crews are 110% the advantages are slight either way, with the Virginia as the boat you want to be in before the shooting starts and the Yasen might be the better option once weapons are being traded.

The Yasen has it over the Virginia in a dogfight, speed depth maneuverability and weapons variety and quantity. But the whole design purpose of the Virginia class would seem to be to avoid a dogfight. Sort of like the F-15 vs the Su-27, where the latter is quicker and more maneuverable the former always had better avionics. The Mk48 ADCAP is a truly magnificent torpedo, and Russia's torpedo designs are very far behind it. On paper Russian weapons are wire guided as well as the Mk48 but their fish don't have the speed, endurance or intelligence. For instance a Virginia could guide two Mk48's quietly to bracket a potential target, both from bearings opposite its own position, and then initial the terminal phase.

However! If the Yasen gets wind of the Virginia, that is both detect each other and a fight erupts, with weapons going both ways having a few extra knots and a few extra shots might make a large difference.

As far as sailors, the US has 10x the resources for ASW exercises either within its own fleet or with allies, so I would expect some experience advantage on the Virginia.

[oneuhtheeese]

Originally Posted by jadervason

As far as sailors, the US has 10x the resources for ASW exercises either within its own fleet or with allies, so I would expect some experience advantage on the Virginia.

Agreed. Virginia would win because the training and resources alone. Even assuming tactical parity of the two platforms, the crew proficiency and weapons employment alone would take out a Severodvinsk.