Type XVII submarine

Type XVIIB submarine U-1406, partially dismantled shortly after the end of World War II
Class overview
Builders
Operators
Preceded by
Succeeded byType XXIII (conventional coastal submarine)
Built1942 – 1945
In commission1943 – 1949
Planned16
Completed7
Cancelled9
General characteristics [1][2][3]
TypeCoastal submarine
Displacement
  • Type XVIIA
  • Wa 201 :
    • 277 tonnes (273 long tons) surfaced
    • 309 t (304 long tons) submerged
    • 372 t (366 long tons) total
  • Wk 202 :
    • 236 t (232 long tons) surfaced
    • 259 t (255 long tons) submerged
    • 312 t (307 long tons) total
  • Type XVIIB
    • 312 t (307 long tons) surfaced
    • 337 t (332 long tons) submerged
    • 415 t (408 long tons) total
Length
  • Type XVIIA
  • Wa 201 :
  • Wk 202 :
    • 36.60 m (120 ft 1 in) o/a
  • Type XVIIB
    • 41.45 m (136 ft 0 in) o/a
    • 27.30 m (89 ft 7 in) pressure hull
Beam
  • 4.50 m (14 ft 9 in) o/a
  • Type XVIIA Wa 201 & Type XVIIB :
    • 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in) pressure hull
  • Type XVIIA Wk 202 :
    • 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in) pressure hull
Draft
  • Type XVIIA Wa 201 & Type XVIIB :
    • 4.30 m (14 ft 1 in)
  • Type XVIIA Wk 202 :
    • 4.55 m (14 ft 11 in)
Propulsion
  • 1 × Deutz SAA SM517 supercharged 8-cylinder Diesel engine, 210 PS (210 shp; 150 kW)
  • 1 × AEG Maschine AWT98 electric motor, 77 PS (76 shp; 57 kW)
  • 1 shaft
  • Type XVIIA Wa 201 U-792 & Wk 202 :
    • 2 × Walter gas turbines, 5,000 PS (4,900 shp; 3,700 kW)
  • Type XVIIA Wa 201 U-793 & Type XVIIB :
    • 1 × Walter gas turbine, 2,500 PS (2,500 shp; 1,800 kW)
Speed
  • Type XVIIA
    • 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) surfaced
    • 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) submerged (electric drive)
    • 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) submerged (HTP drive)
  • Type XVIIB
    • 8.8 knots (16.3 km/h; 10.1 mph) surfaced
    • 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) submerged (electric drive)
    • 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) submerged (HTP drive)
Range
  • Type XVIIA, Wa 201 :
    • 2,910 nmi (5,390 km; 3,350 mi) at 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph) surfaced
    • 50 nmi (93 km; 58 mi) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) submerged (electric drive)
    • 127 nmi (235 km; 146 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) submerged (HTP drive)
  • Wk 202 :
    • 1,840 nmi (3,410 km; 2,120 mi) at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) surfaced
    • 76 nmi (141 km; 87 mi) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) submerged (electric drive)
    • 117 nmi (217 km; 135 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) submerged (HTP drive)
  • Type XVIIB
    • 3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
    • 76 nmi (141 km; 87 mi) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) submerged (electric drive)
    • 123 nmi (228 km; 142 mi) at 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) submerged (HTP drive)
Complement
  • Type XVIIA : 12
  • Type XVIIB : 19
Armament

The Type XVII U-boats were small coastal submarines that used a high-test peroxide propulsion system, which offered a combination of air-independent propulsion and high submerged speeds.

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type XVIIA Walter boats". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type XVIIB Walter boats". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  3. ^ "This page contains details on the German U-Boat Type III, Type IV, Type V, Type VI, Type VIII, Type XI, Type XII, Type XIII, XV, XVI, VB60, V80, U-179, XVII". www.sharkhunters.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2009.