Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

Watch a P-3 Submarine Hunter's Sonobuoy Dramatically Transform Once In The Water

Tightly-packed sonobuoys can transform significantly once they hit the water and start assisting in a submarine hunt.

See - https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4 ... 0yEenpd9TA

HMS Vanguard still in number 9 dry dock at Devonport 22/11/21 (Fin circled, Photo: Andy Amor)

Rumoured she will undock in January and rejoin the fleet in mid 2022. Her refit/refuelling is more than 3 years late(!) and £millions over-budget.

See attached and reminder below:

Critical Royal Navy submarine refit running late

The oldest of the Royal Navy’s ballistic missile submarines, HMS Vanguard is currently in Devonport undergoing major refit and refuelling. There are strong indications the project is in trouble and she will be unable to return to service at the start of 2020 as originally scheduled, with knock-on effects for the 3 remaining boats that maintain the nuclear deterrent.


HMS Vanguard arrived in December 2015 for her second Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)). Her three younger sisters, HMS Victorious, Vigilant and Vengeance have completed their first LOP(R) at Devonport which averaged about 42 months. As we reported last year, Vanguard is unique in having an unplanned second nuclear reactor refuelling as a precautionary measure. The subsequent three boats will have a second LOP but fortunately, it has been discovered they will not require refuelling.

Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/critical-ro ... ning-late/

The glacial project to dismantle ex-RN nuclear submarine has begun, Low level waste now removed from 3 boats HMS Revenge, Resolution & Swiftsure. But will have to wait until 2026 before first boat fully dismantled.

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Corporate report
The United Kingdom's future nuclear deterrent: the 2021 update to Parliament
Published 16 December 2021


Introduction
The United Kingdom’s (UK) independent nuclear deterrent protects against the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, both now and in the future, providing the ultimate guarantee to our national security. It is relevant not only for today but will remain an important part of our national security strategy for as long as the global security situation makes it necessary. This approach forms the cornerstone of this and previous Governments’ responsibility to maintain the safety and security of its citizens.

In 2007 the then Government, endorsed by a Parliamentary vote, started the programme to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s. The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review confirmed that commitment to an independent minimum credible deterrent. This intent was endorsed in 2016 when Parliament voted overwhelmingly to renew our nuclear deterrent and maintain the Continuous At Sea Deterrence posture, to ensure the UK has a credible, independent, and capable nuclear deterrent out to at least the 2060s. Achieving this will include replacing the existing Vanguard Class submarines with four new Dreadnought Class submarines and replacing the UK’s current nuclear warhead. The Government published its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy on 16 March 2021. While it was made clear from the outset of the Review that the nuclear deterrent would be maintained, the UK’s nuclear deterrence policy was reviewed to ensure it remains fully aligned to today’s security environment and continues to support the UK’s overall security strategy.

Designed and constructed in the UK, the new submarines and the replacement warheads will include some of the most advanced systems ever built, employing world-leading and cutting-edge technology to deliver an effective and intensely formidable capability, directly supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the country.

This tenth annual update sets out the progress over the last twelve months of the programme delivering the UK’s Future Nuclear Deterrent.

Continues at - https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... parliament

Australian firm awarded Royal Navy submarine battery contract


Australian firm PMB Defence Engineering has been awarded a contract to improve the main battery module designs onboard British nuclear submarines.

A £22.3m contract has been awarded for ‘Submarine Main Battery TDP Phase 3a – Final Module Design’.

“Submarine Main Battery TDP Phase 3a – Final Module Design is to develop and improve an existing Nickel- Zinc (NiZn) Submarine main battery module design inclusive of initial production standard module build, shock testing and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) pre-qualification.”

The contract award notice also states:
“Phase 3a is for final module design and there is the option to extend for phase 3b.”

The contract was awarded to PMB Defence Engineering Pty Ltd, an Australian firm.

Some of you might be asking, why would a nuclear submarine need a battery? Well, generally speaking a nuclear-powered submarine will have three sources of electricity (if you count a battery as a source but just assume it is for the purposes of this).

The nuclear reactor produces steam which spins turbine-generators to make electricity. Some of this is stored in the battery after being converted to Direct Current electricity. The submarine also has an emergency diesel generator that can power the battery as well. A battery is essential and can be used to keep the reactor coolant pumps in an emergency.

PMB Defence Engineering state on their website that “our purpose-built production, R&D and Engineering facilities are located at the heart of the naval shipbuilding in Australia”.

The firm has a long history of submarine battery development, their website also states:
“Established in 1989, PMB Defence (PMB) began life with a sole focus on producing the highest quality Main Storage Batteries for the COLLINS Class of submarines. Assisted by our privileged access to Australian stakeholders we have evolved into a leading supplier of high-quality energy and specialised engineering solutions in Australia and select international markets.”

Source UKDJ

See also - https://pmbdefence.com.au/

COLD WAR CENTRE MUSUEM PLYMOUTH - HMS COURAGEOUS


Navy News

The team behind ambitious plans to create a Cold War museum in Plymouth are looking to capture memories of submarine operations.
The intended Cold War Centre – which would be located in Devonport Naval Base with retired hunter-killer submarine HMS Courageous as one of its key exhibits – would both shed light on a conflict largely played out in the shadows and celebrate British science, technology and engineering which helped give the UK the edge over its foes.
Working with students from Plymouth College of Arts, they’ll spend the first six months of 2022 recording first-hand accounts of those who fought the unseen, unsung ‘war’ beneath the waves for nearly 50 years.
Each interview will be conducted by the students and recorded to become part of an historical archive, while guidelines on security issues – and what you can and cannot talk about – will be provided.
The recordings will take place in the Plymouth area so if you live within reasonable striking distance of the city and wish to take part, contact Ian Whitehouse (ian@fradds.co.uk) with details of location, rate / rank / branch and the submarines in which you served.

Navy Lookout

Stewart Little of the Submarine Rescue Consultancy - intereview with the BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bfzqhs

Astute class submarine activity noticeably increasing.
See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 8655699968

Remaining Trafalgar class boats - Talent and Triumph have been in Devonport for maintenance/refit for some time.

Vanguard class submarine making cold move on Loch Long today - likely to unload weapons at Coulport.

Smoke is from diesel generator running when reactor shut down. (Cooling water injected into exhaust creates steam)

Video at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7915966466

Project to dismantle ex-Royal Navy nuclear submarines inches forward


There are currently 21 former Royal Navy nuclear submarines awaiting disposal, 7 in Rosyth and 14 in Devonport. Here we look at the process and the modest progress in efforts to dismantle them.

[Lengthy detailed article, includes various images.]

Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/project-to- ... s-forward/