List of U-boat types

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Type VIIC/41 U-boat U995 2004 1.jpg
Type VIIC/41 U-boat

List of U-boat types contains lists of the German U-boat types (submarine classes) used in World War I and World War II.

Contents

The anglicized word U-boat is usually only used as reference for German submarines in the two World Wars and therefore postwar submarine in the Bundesmarine and later German Navy are not included.

In the period between the two World Wars the Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic was not allowed to build submarines according to the Treaty of Versailles; development was undertaken secretly through a Dutch company NV Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw before the mid-1930s. The terms of the Anglo-German naval agreement acknowledged the official building of new U-boats.

World War I

This list contains the German U-boats types prior or during the First World War.

U-boat types of World War I
TypeYear of introductionNumber of U-boats completed
U 1 19061
U 2 19061
U-3 19072
U-5 19084
U 9 19084
U 13 19093
U-16 19091
U-17 19102
U-19 19104
U-23 19114
U-27 19124
U 31 191211
U-43 19148
U 51 19146
U 57 19146
U 63 19153
U 66 19135
U 81 19156
U 87 19156
U 93 191522
U 115 19160
U 127 19160
U 139 19163
U 142 19161
U 151 19167
UA 19121
UB I 191417
UB II 191530
UB III 191695
UC I 191415
UC II 191564
UC III 191616
UD 1 19180
UE I 191510
UE II 19169
UF 19180

World War II

This list contains the German U-boats types prior or during the Second World War.

U-boat types of World War II
TypeYear of introductionNumber of U-boats builtComments
IA 19342Fleet going ocean boat modeled on World War I designs
IIA 19346Prototype coastal patrol submarine
IIB 193520Improved coastal patrol submarine
IIC 19378Extended range coastal patrol submarine
IID 193916Long range coastal patrol submarine
III 0Design schematics created for a mine-layer submarine. Project was dropped due to design flaws
IIIA 0Prototype small boat carrier designed to hold two fast torpedo boats. Project discontinued due to difficulties launching small boats in heavy seas
IV 0First attempt at a designing a supply U-boat for replenishment at sea. Cancelled shortly after initial designs.
V 19401Prototype boat, known as V-80, to test a chemical reaction engine.
VI 0Prototype steam propulsion submarine
VIIA 193510First practical post-World War I attack submarine
VIIB 193624Standard attack submarine in the early months of World War II
VIIC 1938568Attack submarine "work horse" for the majority of World War II.
VIIC (Flak) 19424Special variant of Type VII which removed the deck gun and added extra anti-aircraft guns
VIIC/41 194191Upgraded attack boat with several additional offensive and defensive features as well as better diving ability.
VIIC/42 19420Project was cancelled in lieu of contracts for the Type XXI electrical attack boats
VIID 19406Mine layer submarine, few were produced
VIIE 0Early designs indicate this was to be a deep diving submarine
VIIF 19414Designed to be used as torpedo transport.
VIII 0Intended as a fast attack submarine. Never went beyond initial designs
IXA 19368First post World War I long range fleet ocean boat
IXB 193714Standard pre-World War II fleet ocean boat
IXC 193954Upgraded fleet ocean boat used in the opening years of World War II
IXC/40 194087Enhanced fleet ocean boat with better diving abilities
IXD1 19402 [1] Heavy diesel boat, suffered from numerous design flaws. Rebuilt as long range transports
IXD2 194028Heavy diesel engine long range fleet boat. Heaviest and largest of the IX series
IXD/42 19422 [2] (+ 4 cancelled)Attempt to upgrade the heavy diesel engine design. Never deployed operationally
XA19390Designed to be used as mine layer. Retooled as the XB transport boat
XB 19398Long range transport boat
XI 19370"Cruiser submarine" with large deck guns. Project was cancelled
XII 0Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced Fleet Ocean Boat". Never developed.
XIII 0Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced Coastal Boat". Never developed.
XIV 194010Designed to be used as supply U-boat. Known by the nickname "Milk Cow"
XV 0Initial designs only. Listed as "Long Range Transport Boat". Never developed.
XVI 0Initial designs only. Listed as "Long Range Repair Boat". Never developed.
XVIIA 19424Fast attack boat with chemical propulsion system
XVIIB [3] 19433Upgraded version of the XVIIB with slightly better abilities
XVIIG [4] 19440Upgraded version of the Type XVII. Boats were ordered but never deployed
XVIIK 0Prototype for a closed cycle diesel engine submarine. Never advanced beyond initial designs
XVIII 194302 laid down, not completed. Intended for use as an advanced fast attack boat
XIX 0Initial designs only. Listed as "Long range mine layer". Never developed.
XX 0Prototype for a "Long range transport boat". Project cancelled.
XXI 1943118Most advanced U-boat of the Second World War. The first of the "electrical boat" designs
XXII 0Prototype for an "Advanced coastal boat". Project cancelled.
XXIII 194361Late war fast attack submarine, using the electrical boat design
XXIV 0Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced fleet ocean boat". Never developed.
XXV 0Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced coastal boat". Never developed
XXVI 0Prototype for a "High speed attack boat". Project cancelled.
XXVIIA 194453 Midget submarine "Hecht"
XXVIIB 1944285Midget submarine "Seehund"

See also

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References

  1. ↑ U-180 and U-195 were boats of type IXD1.
  2. ↑ U-883 and U-884 were boats of type IXD/42.
  3. ↑ The XVIIC,D,E,F,H,I and J were unused variant design codes of the Germaniawerft shipyards
  4. ↑ U-1081 through U-1092 were specified as "G" variants.
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