Ship Database
Tier X Submarine

U.S.A.

Balao

The most abundant American submarines of World War II. They contributed substantially to the success of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific War. The primary objective of the new type of submarine, which was also capable of long-distance independent voyages, was fully realized in the design: these vessels were crew-comfortable and carried ample supplies of fuel...

Read full ship history

The most abundant American submarines of World War II. They contributed substantially to the success of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific War. The primary objective of the new type of submarine, which was also capable of long-distance independent voyages, was fully realized in the design: these vessels were crew-comfortable and carried ample supplies of fuel and torpedoes. USS Balao completed ten combat missions during World War II, earning nine battle stars.

Credits
28,000,000
Official profile image of Balao

At a glance

The numbers that shape the ship

Hit points
20,200
Maximum speed
30.0 knots
Surface detection
5.9 km
Torpedo range
12.0 km
Torpedo reload
46 s

Combat envelope

Range and detection

Scale: 15 km

Every bar uses the same 15 km scale. Surface detection is a visibility threshold, not a weapon range.

  • Surface detection5.9 km
  • Torpedoes12 km
  • Sonar ping12 km

Damage comparison

Published maximum per hit

Ship-relative

Bars are normalized only against this ship's highest listed hit. They are not salvo damage, expected damage or DPM.

  • Torpedo · Mk29 mod. 0 7,833
Handling, concealment and protectionOverview

Handling

Maximum speed
30.0 knots
Turning circle radius
510 m
Rudder shift time
7.2 s
Maneuverability API rating 52

Concealment

Surface detection
5.9 km
Air detection
2.2 km
Submarine detection
2.2 km
Concealment API rating 96

Survivability

Hit points
20,200
Torpedo damage reduction
0 %
Survivability API rating 36

Published armour thickness

Only positive values supplied by the API are shown.

Overall published range
6–25 mm
Weapons and payloadsArmament

Underwater armament

Torpedoes

Torpedoes API rating 37

Mk29 mod. 0

Maximum range
12.0 km
Maximum damage per hit
7,833
Reload time
46 s
Speed
86 knots
Detectability
2.3 km
Torpedo-tube layout
Mount
Torpedo Tubes: Bow Group
Mounts
6
Tubes each
1
Mount
Torpedo Tubes: Stern Group
Mounts
4
Tubes each
1
Submarine systemsClass system

Dive capacity

Maximum capacity
240.0
Consumption rate (API value)
1.0
Regeneration rate (API value)
1.2
Dive capacity API rating 31

Underwater handling

Maximum underwater speed
26 knots
Maximum dive/ascent speed
3.3 knots
Dive-plane shift time
20.0 s
Underwater maneuverability API rating 45

Sonar ping

Maximum range
12.0 km
Ping width (API value)
18
Ping velocity (API value)
600
Reload time (API value)
9.0
Single-sector duration (API value)
25
Double-sector duration (API value)
65
Sonar API rating 55
Modules, hull and progressionTechnical data

Default hull

Hull hit points
20,200
Torpedo tubes
10

Engine

Published maximum speed
30.0 knots

Module research tree

Names, research prices and defaults are reported directly by the API.

Propulsion: 5,480 hp

Default
Type
Engine
Purchase
2,000,000 credits

Balao

Default
Type
Hull
Purchase
3,000,000 credits

Mk29 mod. 0 and Mk28 MIE

Default
Type
Torpedoes
Purchase
2,000,000 credits
Next modules
1

Mk29 and Mk29 MIE

Type
Torpedoes
Research
38,000 XP
Purchase
2,500,000 credits

Mk10 mod. 1

Default
Type
Sonar
Purchase
2,000,000 credits
Next modules
1

Mk10 mod. 2

Type
Sonar
Research
38,000 XP
Purchase
2,500,000 credits

Compatible upgrades

Official modernization descriptions and listed purchase prices. Effects still depend on the slot and configuration used in game.

Propulsion Modification 1

Modernization

Reduces time to full speed

Credits
1,000,000

Torpedo Tubes Modification 1

Modernization

Credits
500,000

Damage Control System Modification 3

Modernization

Credits
250,000

Main Armaments Modification 1

Modernization

Credits
125,000

Torpedo Tubes Modification 2

Modernization

Credits
3,000,000

Damage Control System Modification 2

Modernization

Credits
1,000,000

Torpedo Tubes Modification 3

Modernization

Credits
2,000,000
Available module groups
10
Compatible upgrades
7
Upgrade slots
6
Published battle levels
10–11

Cross-nation comparison

Ships that fill a similar slot

Closest same-tier, same-class matches from other nations, ranked by published base statistics.

United Kingdom

Thrasher

HP
16,800
Speed
26 kn
Guns
6 km
Torps
11 km
Open comparison

Italy

Pietro Calvi

HP
18,800
Speed
29 kn
Guns
10.5 km
Torps
9 km
Open comparison

Germany

U-2501

HP
18,900
Speed
27 kn
Torps
14 km
Open comparison