Trafalgar-class submarine

HMS Trafalgar in 2008
Class overview
BuildersVickers Shipbuilding and Engineering, Barrow-in-Furness
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded bySwiftsure class
Succeeded byAstute class
Cost£200 million (1986) (equivalent to £586 million in 2023) per unit
Built1977–1986
In service1983–2024
Completed7
Active0
Retired7
General characteristics
TypeNuclear-powered fleet submarines
Displacement
  • Surfaced: 4,500 to 4,800 t (4,700 long tons; 5,300 short tons)
  • Submerged: 5,200 to 5,300 t (5,200 long tons; 5,800 short tons)
Length85.4 m (280 ft)
Beam9.8 m (32 ft)
Draught9.5 m (31 ft)
Propulsion
  • 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR1 nuclear reactor
  • 2 × GEC steam turbines
  • 2 × WH Allen turbo generators; 3.2 MW
  • 2 × Paxman diesel generators 2,800 shp (2.1 MW)
  • 1 × pump jet propulsor
  • 1 × motor for emergency drive
  • 1 × auxiliary retractable prop
SpeedOver 30 knots (56 km/h), submerged
RangeUnlimited
Test depth600m
Complement130
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • 2 × SSE Mk8 launchers for Type 2066 and Type 2071 torpedo decoys
  • RESM Racal UAP passive intercept
  • CESM Outfit CXA
  • SAWCS decoys carried from 2002
Armament
  • 5 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 30 weapons:

The Trafalgar class is a class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines (SSNs) that was in service with the Royal Navy, and the successor to the Swiftsure class. Like the majority of Royal Navy nuclear submarines, all seven boats were constructed at Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, Cumbria. The class made up part of the Royal Navy's nuclear-powered ‘hunter-killer’ submarine force. The Trafalgar class was replaced by the larger and more capable Astute class, of which five are commissioned.

The name Trafalgar refers to the Battle of Trafalgar fought between the Royal Navy and the combined fleets of France and Spain in 1805.