equipment / Submarine
Dreadnought class
The epitome of naval engineering. With Continuous At Sea Deterrence, they provide unrivaled strength and security.
Displacement
17,200 tonnes
Length
153.6 meters
speed
20 knots
range
Unlimited
About the crew
Each Dreadnought Class submarine will accommodate 130 crew members, including three chefs and one doctor. They will also feature separate female crew quarters, toilets and washing facilities.
Devastating power & weaponry
Enforcers
Ballistic missile launcher
The Dreadnoughts will pick up the baton as Britain’s main nuclear deterrent
Like the Vanguard Class submarines that they will be replacing in the Royal Navy’s service fleet, Dreadnought Class submarines will be capable of launching Trident 2 D5 missiles.
The new submarines will each have three missile compartments, and each compartment will comprise of four missile tubes (known as a ‘Quad Pack’) and five deck levels, for a total of 12 missiles. Dreadnought Class submarines will also feature four 533mm torpedo tubes for Spearfish heavyweight medium-range torpedoes.
Powerful
Power beneath the waves
Dreadnought Class submarines will use a more effective propulsion system
The Dreadnought Class submarines will be powered by a Rolls-Royce nuclear propulsion system known as Pressurised Water Reactor 3 (PWR3).
The MoD considered three PWR options, including the PWR2 system used in the Vanguard Class submarines. But the new design of the PWR3 leverages technology to deliver key benefits such as simplified operations, a longer service life and reduced maintenance costs over the lifecycle of the boats.
Stealthier
The silent enforcer
New innovations in design will make Dreadnought subs even stealthier
The Dreadnought Class will be the first British submarines to feature X-rudders. Whereas previous submarines have used traditional rudders due to their speed and the depths at which they operate, improvements in control and safety now allow for X-form rudders.
These new rudders will sit in front of the very latest Pumpjet propulsor. These are designed to reduce the noise of the submarines, particularly at high speeds. And the Pumpjet used in the Dreadnought Class of submarines is the quietest yet.
Join the Submarine Service
Life under the ocean isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’ll be pushed to your limits, but you’ll be rewarded for it too.