The UK's most potent force, we have two types of nuclear-powered submarine. Our attack submarines are fast and deep-diving, while the vanguard-class ballistic submarines carry trident missiles, Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent.
Submarines
HMS Astute
HMS Astute, as first of class, is currently conducting an extensive sea trials package as she moves from launch to the front line. In the first part of 2012 she proved her ability to prepare and launch tomahawk missiles, successfully firing two missiles from the Gulf of Mexico and accurately hitting the targets on the test range in Northern Florida.
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HMS Astute
HMS Astute, as first of class, is currently conducting an extensive sea trials package as she moves from launch to the front line. In the first part of 2012 she proved her ability to prepare and launch tomahawk missiles, successfully firing two missiles from the Gulf of Mexico and accurately hitting the targets on the test range in Northern Florida.
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HMS Vanguard
HMS Vanguard was the first of the four submarines of her class to be launched, on 4 March 1992 at Barrow. As the name-ship of the class she continued to lead the way, carrying out the first Trident missile test firing in May 1994 and the first operational deterrent patrol in early 1995. She was also the first to undergo her major mid-life refit, from 2002 to 2004, during which she was fitted with the new Core H reactor core, which will provide the power to see her through the rest of her service life.
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HMS Talent
HMS Talent - a technically advanced, nuclear powered ‘hunter-killer’ submarine. HMS Talent is the penultimate platform of seven Trafalgar Class submarines. Launched by HRH Princess Anne in Barrow in Furness in 1988 the Submarine has conducted operations all around the world. The principal role of the ‘hunter-killer’ is to attack ships and other submarines. In this capacity they could support and protect a convoy or taskforce.
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HMS Victorious
HMS Victorious was the second of the four ballistic missile submarines to emerge from the Devonshire Dock Hall in Barrow, where she was officially 'launched' on 29 September 1993. Based at Clyde Naval Base, HMS Victorious' is continuing the Royal Navy's proud record of over 40 years of uninterrupted nuclear deterrence, as at least one of the four 'bombers' is on patrol at any time.
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HMS Trenchant
HMS Trenchant, a powerful hunter-killer submarine with an illustrious ancestor. HMS Trenchant, the fifth of the seven Trafalgar-class submarines built at Barrow, was launched on 3 November 1986 in front of a special guest – war hero Vice Admiral Sir Arthur Hezlet, who commanded the wartime Trenchant with notable success. The admiral would have been struck by the huge advances made between his boat and the current Trenchant, not the least in her propulsion.
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HMS Ambush
HMS Ambush, second the Astute-class attack submarines, was named in Barrow on 16 December 2010 and launched on 5 January 2011. She arrived in her home port of HM Naval Base Clyde for the first time in September 2012. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy Friday, March 1, 2013 during a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde.
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HMS Triumph
HMS Triumph is the latest and most capable Trafalgar-Class submarine. HMS Triumph is the last of seven Trafalgar-class submarines, and in March 2011 was prominent in Operation Ellamy in Libya, firing the first shots of Britain’s involvement in the shape of cruise missile strikes from the Mediterranean. She is the tenth RN warship (and the second submarine) to bear that name, the first being a 58-gun galleon launched in 1562.
Operations
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Vigilant crew honoured for work leading to successful missile test firing05/06/2013
The crew of HMS Vigilant received a trophy for being the Navy’s No.1 ballistic missile submarine – as proven by a successful test firing last autumn. The Faslane-based boat was awarded the SSBN Efficiency Trophy at a ceremony in her home port.
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Trenchant completes record-breaking mission23/05/2013
HMS Trenchant returned home to Devonport yesterday – 11 months to the day she sailed on what became the longest patrol ever completed by one of the Royal Navy’s hunter-killer boats. Around 200 family members were waiting for the Trafalgar-class boat to return after 335 days away – 267 of them east of Suez.
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Astute’s trials draw to a close as new boat prepares for front-line duties13/05/2013
Britain’s first new hunter-killer submarine in a generation is preparing to take her place on the front line as her final trials come to an end in the USA.Faslane-based HMS Astute has been carrying out warm water and other trials in the Bahamas and off the Eastern Seaboard as she gears up for her first operational patrol towards the end of 2013.
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HMS Ambush links up with support ship08/05/2013
New hunter-killer submarine HMS Ambush mastered the art of berthing next to a support ship during trials with RFA Diligence in the safe waters of her home base.Ambush spent two days next to Diligence in Gare Loch in a manoeuvre known as ‘rafting up’ – vital for sustaining submarine operations around the globe.
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Armed Forces unveil spectacular support to national celebrations03/05/2013
A volley of gun blasts from Nottingham Castle will ensure that Armed Forces Day 2013 begins with a bang in what promises to be the most exciting programme of spectacles to show support for our Armed Forces.
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