50 years in submarine propulsion

28 In-depth Issue 13 years in submarine propulsion B Z PWR2 1959 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 1973 1974 1977 1983 Rolls-Royce HMS Rolls-Royce HMS Valiant Britain’s PWR1 core HMS Swiftsure PWR1 core Z Design HMS Trafalgar selected to Dreadnought, begin powered by first Polaris B goes commissioned. goes critical of PWR2 commissioned. manage the Britain’s operation of Rolls-Royce submarine critical at at DSMP1. begins. purchase of first nuclear the Dounreay designed HMS DSMP1. the UK’s first powered Submarine PWR1 Resolution naval reactor. submarine Prototype commissioned. enters service. commissioned. (DSMP1). PWR1 core goes critical with Core A. 50 years after the UK/US Mutual Defence Agreement was signed, 2008 marks throughout their lives. In fact, nuclear a challenging period for the submarine community serving the Royal Navy. deterrent patrols have continued unbroken since the commissioning of The story so far the Resolution class with a Vanguard B ritain and the USA have a history of co-operation in the design and development of nuclear technologies for defence. Despite working closely with each other procurement process, Rolls-Royce and Associates (a consortium of Rolls-Royce, Vickers Shipbuilding class submarine recently completing the 300th patrol. This is testament to the reliability of the nuclear steam during World War II, a veil of secrecy came down between and Foster Wheeler, later joined by raising plant. 1946 and 1954 as the US chose to pursue its own Babcock & Wilcox) was formed. This Today’s new Astute class programmes. The situation only changed with the passing new company was commissioned to submarines, due to enter service of the 1954 Atomic Energy Act and its further amendment build up the expertise and capability from next year, are the largest and in 1958, which, among other things, reintroduced co- to manufacture future plants without most powerful attack submarines operation on the design, development and manufacturing American support. ever built for the Royal Navy. They of nuclear systems between the two countries. The plant procured from the US will all be powered by Rolls-Royce To formalise these new arrangements, the UK/US Mutual became the propulsion system fitted PWR2 plant and will give the Royal Defence Agreement was signed. It remains in force and to the UK’s first nuclear powered Navy new levels of underwater acts as the legal foundation upon which all military nuclear submarine, HMS Dreadnought, capability. All will be fitted with the cooperation between the two countries is based. launched in October 1960. Since long life reactor core, designed for a With the signing of the Mutual Defence Agreement, then Rolls-Royce has designed two full platform life, eliminating costly the pace of progress in the UK naval nuclear propulsion different pressurised water reactor reactor refuelling and associated long programme changed completely. Part of the agreement (PWR) plants and five generations of overhaul periods, thereby increasing covered the export of one complete US submarine nuclear reactor cores, each a step-change availability and helping reduce the propulsion plant and its fuel to the UK, in exchange for in power and lifespan, and has cost of ownership. It is also simpler to British gas-cooled reactor technology. To facilitate the supported all Royal Navy submarines operate. www.rolls-royce.com 29 G H 1986 1987 1993 1996 1997 2000 2001 2002 2005 2007 Shore Test PWR2 core HMS Vanguard PWR2 core Astute class Propulsor 12 year PWR2 long HMS Vanguard, Innovative Facility (STF) goes critical. the first G testing ordered, contract operation life core goes refuelled with Flotilla Reactor at Dounreay submarine complete. powered by secured and contract critical at STF. long-life core. Plant Support completed to DSMP re- powered Rolls-Royce first reactor secured to (FRPS) contract programme commissioned by PWR2 PWR2 with long- pressure operate the signed. and budget. as loss of commissioned. life core. vessel Vulcan site. coolant test delivered for Next rig. Rolls-Royce Astute class. Generation part of alliance Propulsion to build the System concept Vanguard refit begins. complex at Devonport. “WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING EVER MORE CLOSELY WITH THE MOD TO REACH JOINTLY AGREED GOALS”. What does the future hold? through life costs were the main responds to new challenges. Able Historically, the driving requirements of a nuclear drivers behind the innovative to operate independently and propulsion system are safety, reliability and performance, 10-year contract to support the virtually undetected they remain a while power and flexibility are also important factors. submarine flotilla signed with the vital asset for any maritime nation. Inevitably, as defence budgets come under increasing MoD last year. The contract, formally They provide the ultimate in force pressure, cost and through life costs are also vital known as Flotilla Reactor Plant projection, deterrent and sea denial considerations. Support (FRPS), covers support of roles and are flexible enough to With the UK Government making the decision the nuclear power plants that power operate closely with special-forces, to replace the country’s current nuclear deterrent the current fleet of 13 Swiftsure, or to be part of a carrier force. maintained by the Vanguard class submarines from Trafalgar and Vanguard class Article by: Laura Needham around 2020, work has now started on developing the submarines and the new Astute Customer Management design requirements for a new submarine, known as class, when they enter service. Successor. A new propulsion plant is integral to this plan. The new working arrangements Developments will capitalise on the achievements of the respond to the MoD’s requirement UK naval nuclear programme to date.