Monday, 5 October 2009

Nuclear submarines

Vanguard
From The Times:

Faslane on the Clyde is to become the dedicated home for the UK's entire nuclear-powered submarine fleet in a shake-up of Royal Navy resources that will also bring the next generation of frigates to Portsmouth instead of Devonport.

All of Britain's nuclear-powered submarine force will relocate to the base north of Glasgow over the next few years in a move that guarantees the future of the 6,000-strong workforce at Faslane. It is hoped it will also mean jobs for hundreds more maintenance and support staff. Faslane already plays host to four Vanguard-class Trident nuclear-armed submarines.



Astute
From The Daily Telegraph:
"The Astute class submarines are the next-generation nuclear fleet submarines of the Royal Navy. When completed, the boats will set a new standard for the Royal Navy in terms of weapons load, improved communications facilities, stealth and comfort for the crew."

Trident
According to MoD:
The white paper said that designing and building four new submarines would cost between £11bn and £14bn. This is set against the estimated £70bn or more defence officials say the proposed replacement of the existing Trident system, including new missiles and warheads, would cost over its 30-year lifetime.

Astute design is similiar to the Trafalgar Batch 1 (HMS Triumph) shown. (From Naval Technology)

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