Vanguard type. UK Strategic Nuclear Forces

In April 1976, a new (third) generation lead missile boat was launched into the water in the USA. "Ohio" (SSBN* "Ohio"). Displacement - 16,700/18,700 tons, length - 170 m, width - 12.8 m, average draft (according to waterline) - 11.1 m, speed - 25 knots, immersion depth - working 365 m, limit 550 m, crew - 14-15 officers, 140 sailors and foremen, weapons - four 533-mm torpedo tubes and 24 Trident missiles.

* In the US Navy, the type of boat is easily identified by its designation, where SS is a submarine, N is nuclear (as the main power plant applied nuclear reactor), G - armed with guided (cruise) missiles, B - armed with ballistic missiles, X - a promising boat under development.

A total of 20 were ordered (it was planned to expand the order to 24 units) of this type of submarine, but “only” 18 were commissioned, which entered service in 1981-1997 and were originally calculated for a 30-year service life. Then these boats were certified for a 42-year service life, consisting of two 20-year periods, separated by a special two-year interval for nuclear reactor refueling and ERO (engineered refueling overhaul) routine maintenance.

For each of the Ohio-class SSBNs, it will take two years or more to recharge the nuclear reactor and carry out routine maintenance, during which the boat is decommissioned.

At first, the boats were equipped with heavy Trident-1 C-4 missiles, but, starting with the Georgia (SSBN-729 "Georgia"), they began to put more powerful Trident-2 D-5 missiles on them. * , which are equipped with two types of warheads - W76 with a capacity of 100 kt and W88 with a capacity of 475 kt. At maximum load, the rocket is capable of throwing 8 W88 blocks or 14 W76 blocks at a distance of 7360 km. Missiles can be launched with a 15-20-second interval from a depth of up to 30 meters, at a speed of about 5 knots and sea waves up to 6 points. All missiles can be fired in one salvo, but test launches of the entire ammunition load have never been made.

Launch silos SSBN type "Ohio"

When creating boats, the latest achievements of science and technology in the field of underwater shipbuilding were used in such matters as optimizing the shape of the hull contours, protecting hull structures, mechanisms and equipment from underwater explosions, increasing stealth and reducing acoustic, magnetic, hydrodynamic, radiation, thermal and other physical fields.

* "Trident-2"("Trident") is a three-stage ballistic missile designed to be launched from nuclear submarines. Developed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. The missile has a maximum range of 11,300 km, a length of 13.42 m, and a maximum launch weight of 59,078 kg. All three march stages are equipped with solid propellant rocket engines. The first and second stages have a diameter of 2.1 m and are interconnected by a transition compartment, the bow is 2.05 m.

Under the original contract, Lockheed supplied 425 Trident-2 missiles to the US Navy from 1989 to 2007. Another 58 missiles were delivered to the British Navy. Different sources indicate a different cost of the product. Initially, the figures are 29.1 million dollars. In 2006, the cost of one missile was $30.9 million. In 2009, the figure of 49 million dollars was already mentioned, and by 2012 the cost "increased" to 70.5 million. As Mark Twain said: "There are lies, there are blatant lies, and there are statistics."

The boats have a hull of a mixed design: a strong cylindrical hull with truncated cone ends is complemented by streamlined ends that house ballast tanks and, accordingly, a spherical HAC antenna and a propeller shaft. The strong hull of the boat is made of NU-100 steel. It is divided into four compartments: a four-deck control and accommodation compartment, rocket, reactor and turbine.

The upper part of the pressure hull is covered with a permeable lightweight streamlined superstructure that covers the missile silos, various auxiliary equipment aft and a flexible towed GAS antenna at the aft end. Due to such a small area of ​​​​the light hull, the ship is considered to be single-hull, this design of American SSBNs, according to experts, provides the ability to create less hydrodynamic noise and achieve a greater maximum silent speed compared to double-hull boats.

Flat bulkheads divide the boat into compartments, each of which is divided into several decks. Loading hatches are provided in the bow, missile and aft compartments. The cabin is shifted to the bow, it has horizontal wing-shaped rudders with a span of about 13 meters, cruciform plumage in the stern, vertical faceplates are installed on the horizontal rudders.

Trident-2 rocket launch

On top of the hull, a tuning was made 114 m long, about 5.5 m wide along the deck and 2 m high. This design ensures low noise levels at patrol speeds. On the upper deck of the first compartment are located: navigation center, main command center, radio center, hydroacoustic posts.

On the second deck there are: equipment and combat posts of the Mk 98 missile fire control system, rooms for computers and boat control. The third deck is given over to the living quarters of the team. On the lower deck, in front of the hull of the boat, there is a torpedo compartment, where four torpedo tubes are installed and a stock of torpedoes is stored.

A pressurized water reactor of the GE PWR S8G type was installed on the boat, which ensured the operation of two turbines with a shaft power of 30,000 hp. Two steam turbine plants operate on one shaft, while high speed the rotation of the turbines is reduced by a gearbox to 100 rpm and, with the help of a clutch, is transmitted to the propeller shaft, which rotates a seven-blade propeller with a diameter of 8 m with beveled sickle-shaped blades and at a reduced rotation speed (this can significantly reduce noise at patrol speeds).

In addition to the steam turbine plant, there are two turbogenerators of 4000 kW each, a diesel generator with a capacity of 1400 kW and a propeller motor with a capacity of 450 hp. The maximum underwater speed was 25 knots, surface speed - 17 knots.

Diagram of the Ohio-type submarine:
1. HAC antenna; 2. main ballast tanks; 3. computer post; 4. joint radio room; 5. hydroacoustic post; 6. central post; 7. navigation post; 8. missile fire control post; 9. engine room; 10. reactor compartment; 11. compartment of auxiliary mechanisms No. 1; 12. passage for the crew; 13. compartment of auxiliary mechanisms No. 2; 14. torpedo compartment; 15. cabins for sailors and foremen; 16. officers' cabins; 17. missile compartment.

"Ohio" differs from its predecessors in greater power supply, increased patrol speed (maximum low-noise travel speed), more advanced onboard systems and complexes. According to experts, among the built missile carriers in terms of noise level, only French Triumph-class submarines can compete with them.

Due to the inclusion of hydroacoustic means with extended towed and conformal antennas in the complex and the introduction of effective methods for processing hydroacoustic information, the target detection range has been more than doubled. The high accuracy of the submarine's location is ensured by the installed navigation data correction equipment of the Loran-S and NAVSTAR systems. The use of these systems and the introduction of the ESGN system with gyroscopes with an electrostatic suspension of the rotor made it possible to increase the accuracy of determining coordinates by 4-6 times compared to boats of previous types.

The creation of such a perfect submarine missile carrier, of course, required high costs. The cost of Ohio-class SSBNs was $1.3–1.5 billion, more than ten times the purchase price of previous Lafayette-class missile carriers. In addition, two bases were upgraded specifically for their deployment - one on the Pacific coast (Navy Bangor, Washington) and one on the Atlantic (Naval Kings Bay, Georgia). Each base is designed to serve 10 boats. The bases contain equipment for receiving and unloading ammunition, maintenance and current repair SSBN. All conditions have been created to ensure the rest of the personnel (in this climatic zone, this is not difficult to do).

All Ohio-class SSBNs have two interchangeable crews (28 fully manned crews for 14 boats in total), which ensures the maximum time they spend in the waters of the World Ocean. To date, the Ohio holds the first place in the world in terms of the number of ballistic missiles deployed on it - 24 units and is the most advanced in the class of nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles.

Due to the increased strength, the ship's hull not only withstands pressure at a depth of about 500 m, but also close explosions. It houses the main mechanisms, service and living quarters and weapons of the missile carrier. In the central post, under the wheelhouse, the main control systems of the boat are concentrated. There are also navigation system instruments and rocket launchers. On four decks there are nine-bed cabins of a compartment type with three-tier berths for enlisted personnel, two- and four-bed cabins for officers. There is also an officer's wardroom, a lounge for relaxation, a library, a study room and a gym.

In the wardroom of an Ohio-class submarine

As part of the implementation of recommendations under the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty * it was decided to reduce the composition of the Ohio-class SSBN group to 14 boats. In 2004, the American corporation General Dynamics won the US Navy tender for the modernization of the Ohio SSBN, which in 2006 turned from a strategic ship armed with ballistic missiles into a tactical boat to support and support special operations.

* Due to restrictions under the START-1 treaty, the commissioning of Ohio-class boats led to the fact that by the end of 1997, SSBNs of the George Madison and Benjamin Franklin types with Poseidon and Trident missiles were withdrawn from the fleet. -one". The START-II treaty provided for the unloading of Trident-2 from 8 to 5 warheads. But in 1997, the implementation of this agreement was blocked by Congress with the help of a special law. On April 8, 2010, the presidents of Russia and the United States signed a new treaty on the limitation of strategic offensive arms - START III. According to the provisions of the treaty, the total number of deployed nuclear warheads is limited to 1,550 units for each of the parties. Trident-2 missiles also fall under this treaty. As of July 1, 2009, the US had 851 carriers and some of them should be reduced. So far, US plans have not been announced, so whether this reduction will affect Trident-2 is not known for certain.

The new boat is armed with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and will be able to carry up to sixty paratroopers with equipment. In 2007-2008, 3 more ships (SSBN-727, SSBN-728, SSBN-729) underwent the same rework. For each of these SSGNs, 22 out of 24 missile silos were upgraded for vertical launch of the CR. Each upgraded silo contains 7 missiles. The two shafts closest to the cabin have been replaced with lock chambers. ASDS (Advanced SEAL Delivery System) mini-submarines or DDS (Dry Deck Shelter) modules are docked to them to ensure the exit of combat swimmers when the boat is submerged. These submarines can be installed both together and separately, total no more than two. The average cost of converting one boat into a SSGN was about $800 million.

Submarine "Ohio" after modernization

Currently, all 18 boats of this series are in service (albeit in different statuses). According to accumulated statistics, SSBNs make three to four patrols a year, spending 50–60% of their time on the high seas. The missiles are installed in the mines of SSBNs when they go on combat duty. After returning from patrol, the missiles are unloaded from the boat and moved to a special storage. Only the Bangor and Kings Bay naval bases are equipped with missile storage facilities.

While the missiles are in storage, maintenance work is carried out on them. The high reliability of the complex is confirmed by the longest continuous, accident-free series of launches. From December 4, 1989 to December 19, 2009, 130 successful launches were made. On June 8 and 9, 2010, the Maryland SSBN (SSBN-738) carried out a series of 4 launches, bringing the total number of successive successful launches to 134.

• SSBN-726 Ohio 1981/2023
• SSBN-727 Michigan 1982/2024
• SSBN-728 "Florida" 1983/2025
• SSBN-729 "Georgia" 1984/2026
• SSBN-730 "Henry M. Jackson" 1984/2026
• SSBN-731 Alabama 1985/2027
• SSBN-732 Alaska 1986/2028
• SSBN-733 "Nevada" 1986/2028
• SSBN-734 Tennessee 1988/2030
• SSBN-735 "Pennsylvania" 1989/2031
• SSBN-736 "West Virginia" 1990/2032
• SSBN-737 Kentucky 1991/2033
• SSBN-738 "Maryland" 1992/2034
• SSBN-739 Nebraska 1993/2035
• SSBN-740 "Rhode Island" 1994/2036
• SSBN-741 "Maine" 1995/2037
• SSBN-742 "Wyoming" 1996/2038
• SSBN-743 "Louisiana" 1997/2039

The first of 14 remaining Ohio-class SSBNs (SSBN-730 "Henry M. Jackson") will reach retirement in 2026 after a 42-year operational period. The remaining 13 boats will consistently develop their operational life until 2039 and will be withdrawn from the Navy at the rate of one SSBN each year. According to a report prepared by the US Congressional Research Service, the Navy has requested $564.9 million for fiscal year 2013 to continue research and development (R&D) for the ORP (Ohio Replacement Program) boat replacement program. , which also has the designation SSBN(X).

This program is focused on the design and construction of 12 next-generation SSBNs to replace the fleet's 14 Ohio-class SSBNs. As part of the US Navy budget for fiscal year 2012, the first SSBN (X) boat to replace the Ohio-class submarines was planned to be laid down in fiscal year 2019, which would have made it possible to have 12 SSBNs in the strategic submarine force. These plans have now been adjusted and the purchase of the first boat to replace the Ohio-class SSBN has been postponed to FY 2021, which will reduce the US Navy's strategic submarine force to 11 or even 10 SSBNs in the period FY 2026-2039.

The US Navy has revealed some technical requirements, which apply to SSBN SSBN (X) of the 5th generation. The estimated service life of the boat will be 40 years, and the resource of the nuclear reactor core will be brought up to the service life of the SSBN itself, which will eliminate the labor-intensive, very complex, environmentally hazardous and very expensive operation of recharging the reactor. The main power plant will operate on the principle of electric propulsion, which will reduce noise compared to boats that implement the mechanical principle of propulsion.

Promising SLBM SSBN (X) - project

The launch silos for SSBN(X) SLBMs will have similar dimensions compared to Ohio-class boats (2210 mm in diameter and long enough to accommodate Trident-2 D-5 SLBMs). Width (diameter) SSBN(X) will be 13.1 meters, while the "Ohio" - 12.8 meters. Instead of 24 missiles, as on the Ohio, the SSBN (X) is planned to have only 16 launch silos.

Despite the reduction in the number of launch silos, the underwater displacement of SSBN SSBN (X) will be approximately the same as that of the Ohio. At the end of 2011, this tactical and technical element for SSBN (X) was 19,737 tons, although the value of this parameter has already changed by now. The crew of the boat is 155 people. According to Navy estimates, the cost of purchasing the lead boat under the program is $11.7 billion, including $4.5 billion for detailed design and non-recurring engineering costs DD / NRE (detailed design and nonrecurring engineering), as well as $ 7.2 billion for the construction of the ship itself.

In the traditional practice of financing shipbuilding programs in the United States, the cost of DD / NRE expenses for a new class of ships is attributed to the cost of purchasing the lead ship. Construction of the first ship of this type, USS Columbia (SSBN 826), is due to begin in 2021 following a separate contract. Delivery will take place until the end of 2027.

The very high combat characteristics of the Trident-2 D-5 rocket interested the British government, which was faced with the problem of replacing obsolete and worn-out Resolution-type missile carriers. After consultations with the American side in 1980, the government of M. Thatcher * It was decided that the further improvement of the nuclear missile forces would be carried out on the basis of the Trident-2 missile system. Permission to purchase it was received from the United States in March 1982. According to this agreement, in addition to the cost of the missiles themselves, Great Britain was obliged to pay 5% of the price of the equipment necessary for R&D.

* Thatcher Margaret Hilda, Baroness Thatcher (Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher; nee Roberts; 1925-2013) - 71st British Prime Minister in 1979-1990, Baroness since 1992. The first and so far the only woman to hold this post, as well as the first woman to become the prime minister of a European state. Thatcher's premiership was the longest in the 20th century. Nicknamed the "iron lady" for her sharp criticism of the Soviet leadership, she implemented a series of conservative measures that became part of the policy of the so-called "Thatcherism".

Since the Resolution type submarines, according to their characteristics, could not be converted to the Trident-2 D-5, the British had to engage in the development and construction of a new project missile carrier, called Vanguard (SSBN Vanguard). Unlike the Ohio, it was supposed to be smaller and armed with only 16 ballistic missiles equipped with a multiple reentry vehicle with eight individually targetable warheads. The cost of the program to create a new boat amounted to 13.35 billion dollars, which significantly exceeded the calculations of 11.5 billion.

British nuclear-powered missile submarine Vanguard, photo 1994

In 1982, Parliament approved a schedule for the construction of a new generation of missile carriers. Initially, it was planned to build 6-7 such missile carriers, but with the collapse of the USSR, the need for them as a nuclear deterrent force disappeared, and therefore the number of SSBNs was reduced to 4 units. Underwater displacement - 15,900 tons, length - 149.9 m, width - 12.8 m, average draft - 12 m, maximum underwater speed - 25 knots, surface speed - 20 knots, working diving depth - 280 m, maximum diving depth - 400 m, crew - 135 people, armament - four torpedo tubes and 16 missiles.

The lead nuclear submarine was laid down on 09/03/1986 at the Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd shipyard in Barrow; on 03/04/1992 it was launched. Only on May 4, 1993, she was handed over to the British Navy for testing and testing a number of tasks. On September 23, 1993, the lead nuclear missile boat was commissioned into combat-ready ships. Due to the significantly greater range of missiles, this boat has more options for choosing patrol areas, which reduces the chances of detection.

The British shipbuilders introduced all the most advanced developments in the field of submarine shipbuilding into the design of the new missile carrier. Due to the wide use of a number of constructive and technological solutions, it was possible to achieve the best vibroacoustic characteristics of operating devices and mechanisms. The boat has effective anti-sonar and soundproof coatings. The noise level of the main power plant has been reduced. Modern electronic and acoustic equipment combined with the latest weapons allows the boat to successfully leave, and, if necessary, to hit the enemy.

SSBN type "Wangard" is a boat of single-hull architecture. The strong case is made of high-strength American steel HY-80/100. It has the shape of a cylinder with torospheric end strong bulkheads. The hull diameter in the area of ​​the missile silos is 12.8 meters. Outside the pressure hull, at the ends of the ship, there is a large part of the TsGB (Main Ballast Tanks). They are covered with light structures of a well-streamlined shape.

One of the main features of the boat (as well as on the Resolution-type SSBNs) is the missile banquet, which smoothly mates with the bow of the hull, as well as the layout of the bow horizontal rudders. However, at the same time, they were moved closer to the fence of a solid felling (compared to the "Resolution"). This was done to provide more favorable operating conditions for the bow conformal antenna. The outer contours of the hull were lined with a polyurethane anti-sonar coating, made in the form of tiles measuring 305 x 305 mm and 100 mm thick.

One of the main features of Vanguard-type SSBNs is the layout of the forward horizontal rudders.

The working and rest conditions of the crew have been significantly improved. A distinctive feature of the Vanguard-class submarine is providing the crew members with the maximum possible comfort, which makes it easier to endure long (up to 3 months) trips in the North Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea. For the personnel, wardrooms are equipped, combining a dining room, an assembly hall and rest rooms. Crew members are allowed to improve their education together with the service, for which there is a large library on the boat.

The Vanguard-class nuclear submarine has one PWR-2 nuclear reactor, which powers two GEC turbines with a capacity of 27,500 hp. Despite the large weight and size indicators, it was possible to ensure a full underwater speed of up to 25 knots. Instead of the traditional low-noise FSP (Fixed Pitch Propeller), the ship was equipped with a Pump-Jet type propeller, which consisted of two coaxial rotation screws enclosed in a common guide nozzle. The operating mode of the power plant was chosen taking into account the provision of long-term patrols at speeds of about five knots. In case of failure of the main power plant, two diesel generators with a capacity of 2700 horsepower are provided.

16 Mk14 launch silos are installed in the missile compartment, providing storage, protection against overloads and harmful effects environment, maintenance, preparation and launch of Trident-2 D-5 missiles. All of them are part of the strong hull of the boat. A steel starting glass is installed inside the mine. From above it is closed with a dome-shaped membrane that protects the shaft from ingress of sea water when the lid is opened.

The temperature and humidity regime of the mines is constantly monitored by a system of sensors. If necessary, the SLBM emergency water cooling subsystem can be activated. Missile complex SSBN "Vangard" can produce from a depth of 30-40 m as a single and salvo launch of four missiles with an interval of approximately 20 seconds. The missile fire control system allows for the retargeting of missiles located in launchers.

Scheme of the general layout of the Vanguard-type nuclear submarine

The Trident-2 D-5 missiles on the Vanguard are somewhat different from those installed on American boats. They are almost 50 cm longer and can carry eight British-designed warheads with a capacity of 150 kt each. British warheads were developed by the Atomic Weapons Establishment. The development was carried out with the active participation of specialists from the United States. These warheads are structurally similar to the American W-76 warheads. Otherwise, the tactical and technical characteristics of the missiles are similar.

Maintenance and modernization of missiles during operation are carried out by specialists from the United States. Theoretically, four Wangard-class SSBNs can carry 64 Trident-2 D5 SLBMs, but for reasons of economy, only 58 missiles were purchased by the UK Department of Defense Procurement, which made it possible to provide only three ships with a full ammunition load. This use of boats prompted a proposal to convert free mines for equipment with cruise missiles (CR) "Tomahawk". It is assumed that the deployment of the CD will be carried out in the same way as it was carried out on the converted Ohio-class SSGNs. However, this proposal has not yet been implemented due to lack of funding.

• S.28 "Vanguard" 1993
• S.29 "Victorious" 1995
• S.30 "Vigilant" 1996
• S.31 "Vengeance" 1999

Currently, all Wangard-class SSBNs are part of the Royal Navy. Constantly one of them is on combat duty in the Atlantic Ocean. The autonomy period when on combat duty is about 12 weeks. After the decommissioning of the WE177 aerial bombs in April 1998, these boats are the only carriers of the UK's nuclear weapons. During the construction of the first two SSBNs - "Vengard" (S.28 "Vanguard") and "Victorius" (S.29 "Victorious"), two crews were formed for each boat. For the other two ships, only one crew was formed. Thus, from 1998 to the present, there are only five of them. These five crews serve alternately on three boats that are in operational readiness.

The first of four Vanguard-class SSBNs will reach the retirement date in 2024. The UK announced plans to modernize its nuclear fleet back in 2006. In 2012, the UK government submitted a bill to Parliament for approval to replace the Vanguard-class missile carriers in the fleet with next-generation submarines.

According to British Defense Secretary Liam Fox (Liam Fox; b. 1961), the adoption of new strategic nuclear submarines will allow the country to "maintain a nuclear capability until 2060." The construction of new boats will begin in the 2020s, when the submarines built at the end of the last century will be withdrawn from the Navy. For the next generation boats, it will be necessary to develop a new missile system to replace the existing complex.

Boats of the Vanguard type are on alert and are the only carriers of nuclear weapons in the UK

The submarine concept is being worked on by the military, as well as a number of defense companies, including BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, Babcock Marine and Rolls-Royce. This stage of their creation should be completed by September 2015. The cost of upgrading the UK's strategic nuclear arsenal, according to the most conservative estimates, will be at least £30 billion (over $50 billion).

In order to reduce costs, the composition of the nuclear forces is planned to be reduced by 25%. Instead of four missile carriers, each of which carries 16 missiles, three submarines will be introduced into the fleet. The exact name the class is still unknown, but the word “Successor” (“Successor”) is often used in the press. Also, other details of the upcoming project are still unclear.

To date, the UK has already spent 900 million pounds on the project of new nuclear submarines, The Guardian clarifies. These funds were spent on developing only the concept of a new nuclear-powered ship. As expected, the Trident-2 ballistic missiles will remain the main armament of promising submarines. The final design of the new submarine is planned to be presented in 2016. The construction of new boats will begin in the 2020s, when the submarines built at the end of the last - the beginning of this century will be withdrawn from the Navy.

Completed by: Nikolichev M.A.

Checked by: Grelya K. V

Kaliningrad

Intro 3

Story 3

Design 4

Armament 4

Representatives 5

Comparative score 6

State of the Art 6

References 7

Introduction

Submarines of the Vanguard type (Eng. Vanguard, Russian Avangard) are a series of British nuclear submarines built in the 1990s. The main armament of the boats is 16 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles. All four boats are part of the 1st Submarine Division of the Royal Naval Base, located in the city of Faslane (Faslane, Scotland). In the early 1990s, they replaced four Resolution-class nuclear submarines armed with US-made Polaris ballistic missiles.

Story

The high combat characteristics of the American Trident-1 SLBM interested the British government, which was faced with the problem of modernizing the nuclear arsenal - the Polaris SLBM and their carriers SSBNs of the Resolution project, developed in the mid-60s, which by the mid-70s had already could not overcome the lines of Soviet anti-submarine defense in the Norwegian and Barents Seas. And with the advent of 2-3 generation PLBs in the USSR Navy, it became clear that even an increase in the flight range of the Polaris SLBM (4500 km) would no longer be able to ensure the stability of the Resolution SSBN even in the North Atlantic and the Greenland Sea. It was necessary to move the combat patrol areas away from the Soviet coast - to the Irish Sea and the Bay of Biscay, well covered by the NATO fleet. But since the new Trident-1 missiles (in terms of weight and size characteristics) could not be installed on the submarines of the Resolution project, it was decided to build new missile carriers. Initially, it was planned to build 6-7 missile carriers of the Vanguard project, but with the collapse of the USSR, the need for them as a nuclear deterrent force disappeared [source not specified 289 days], and therefore the number of Vanguard-type SSBNs was reduced to 4 units. The lead boat was laid down on September 3, 1986. On May 4, 1992, she was handed over to the Navy for sea trials. On September 23, 1993, the lead SSBN was introduced into the combat-ready ships. At the same time, the old Revenge SSBN was withdrawn from service. For financial reasons, the number of purchased missiles was limited to 70 units [source not specified 289 days], while the total ammunition load of four boats was 64 missiles. In January 1995, the second submarine of this type, Victorious, completed testing. Currently, all Vanguard SSBNs are part of the KVMF. Constantly one of them is on combat duty in the Atlantic Ocean. The autonomy period when on combat duty is about 12 weeks.

Design

Power point

Especially for submarines of this class, the PWR-2 nuclear reactor was developed, which runs on weapons-grade uranium. Two steam turbines with a capacity of 27,500 horsepower transfer energy to one water jet. Two turbo generators provide the boat with electricity. In case of failure of the main power plant, two diesel generators with a capacity of 2700 horsepower are provided.

Crew accommodation

The regular crew of the Vanguard-class submarine consists of 135 people. For the personnel, wardrooms are equipped, combining a dining room, an assembly hall and rest rooms. Crew members can, together with the service, improve their education, for which there is a large library on the boat. A distinctive feature of the Vanguard-class submarine is providing the crew members with the maximum possible comfort, which makes it easier to endure long (up to 3 months) trips in the North Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea.

Other equipment

In December 2008, the submarines were completed with the Submarine Command System Next Generation (SMCS NG) combat information and control systems. At the heart of SMCS NG are multifunctional computer terminals with a special operating system based on Windows XP, which is expected to reduce the cost of maintaining on-board systems by more than 2 million pounds per year.

FOREIGN MILITARY REVIEW No. 8/2009, pp. 61-65

NAVAL FORCES

Major GeneralM. VILDANOV,

professor at the Academy of Military Sciences;

captain 1st rankN. REZYAPOV,

candidate of military sciences

The military-political leadership (VPR) of Great Britain pays special attention to maintaining combat readiness and developing strategic nuclear forces (SNF). This is confirmed by an analysis of the contents of the White Paper issued by the British government in 2007 under the heading "Assessment of the state and prospects for the development of the UK's strategic nuclear forces in the long term." The document assesses the military-political situation in the world and the prospects for its development, as well as clarifies the existing and predicted future threats to the national security of Great Britain. The main ones are: the growing role of nuclear weapons (NW) in ensuring the national interests of states; the growing desire for the possession of nuclear weapons by a number of third world countries; the potential possibility of unleashing a large-scale war with the use of nuclear weapons; uncontrolled proliferation of nuclear missile technologies and weapons of mass destruction, creating a threat of unauthorized use of certain types of nuclear weapons by international terrorist organizations.

Taking into account the "effectiveness / cost" criterion, studies and evaluations of various methods of basing strategic offensive weapons were carried out, and a conclusion was made about the need and expediency of maintaining the existing grouping of naval strategic nuclear forces for the long term. Their purpose, tasks, combat use and directions of development until 2040 are specified.

According to the views of the British VPR, strategic nuclear forces are designed to deter aggression against Great Britain and its allies, and in a large-scale war with the use of nuclear weapons, to destroy the enemy’s military and economic potential objects by delivering nuclear missile strikes. The tasks of strategic nuclear forces in peacetime and wartime are defined: nuclear deterrence of opponents; ensuring security in the Euro-Atlantic area in accordance with NATO plans; maintaining part of these forces in a high degree of combat readiness for delivering nuclear missile strikes; prevention of nuclear blackmail and acts of aggression by terrorist organizations; ensuring the stability of the national system of combat command and control of strategic nuclear forces.

Wangard-class SSBN

At present, the British strategic nuclear forces are represented by the naval component - the 1st submarine squadron, which includes four Vanguard-type SSBNs equipped with Trident-2 SLBMs (16 missiles with MIRV, capable of carrying up to eight warheads with a yield of 0.1 -0.15 Mt, with a range of 9,000 km). In a real situation, SSBNs go on combat patrols with 12 SLBMs on board with four warheads on each missile. At the same time, three out of four SSBNs are in full combat readiness in peacetime. One of them carries out combat patrols in the Northeast Atlantic, and the other two are on combat duty at the Faslane base. The fourth boat is on overhaul or modernization. All SSBNs were developed by the military-industrial complex of Great Britain and introduced into the Navy in 1994-2001. Trident-2 SLBMs are actually leased from the US and loaded onto boats at the US arsenal in Kings Bay, Georgia. In addition, American specialists carry out design and warranty supervision of the operation of these missiles, as well as are engaged in their maintenance. Warheads and equipment for missile warheads are manufactured in the UK.

According to foreign military experts, the combat composition of the British strategic nuclear forces is taken into account when the US SNA command develops the Unified Joint Operational Plan for the Destruction of Strategic Targets (OPLAN 8044). The combat use of strategic nuclear forces is envisaged in the form of preemptive and retaliatory nuclear missile strikes (one or two SSBNs) independently from combat patrol areas. The decision on the combat use of strategic nuclear forces is made personally by the Prime Minister of Great Britain, who, if the situation permits, coordinates it with the US President and the NATO Council. At the same time, the White Paper notes that the procedure for making such a decision implies complete independence from the allies (the United States and other NATO countries).

The supreme command and control authority for SSBNs is the Defense Headquarters, which, in cooperation with the US Armed Forces USC and NATO command and control bodies, organizes the planning of the combat use of strategic nuclear forces, formalizes the Prime Minister's decision on the use of nuclear weapons, and communicates orders to launch missiles. The direct control of the actions of SSBNs on combat patrols, in combat training areas and at transitions is carried out by the commander of the fleet of the British Navy. Launch orders (signals) and codes for unlocking nuclear weapons are transmitted to SSBNs using the national command and control and communications system.

The development of plans for the combat use of strategic nuclear forces takes place in the course of operational and combat training (OBP). Their orientation provides for the following: improving the training of personnel of bodies and command posts, as well as professional skills and teamwork of crews; working out the established modes of combat duty, issues of ensuring secrecy and invulnerability of SSBNs; maintaining a high degree of combat readiness for missile launches. The main forms of training are: the participation of strategic nuclear forces in the KShU, training and checking the combat readiness of the squadron, exercises for deploying boats in combat patrol areas.

Placement of the Trident-2 SLBM on board the Vanguard-type SSBN

During the activities of the EBP, the following tasks are worked out, in particular: notification and collection of personnel; bringing formations and units to the highest degree of combat readiness; organization of combat patrols and preparation of SLBMs for combat use; checking the readiness of combat control and communication systems to bring orders (signals) and instructions on the use of nuclear weapons; working out various options conditional nuclear missile strikes. In addition, SSBNs on combat patrols are involved in training in the application of selective conditional RIAs both against pre-planned ground targets and newly identified ones.

Considerable attention is paid to the prevention emergencies when carrying out all types of work and activities with nuclear weapons and eliminating possible consequences. In order to control the functioning and maintain the strategic nuclear forces combat command and control system in a combat-ready state, weekly training sessions are held according to the plans of the UK and NATO command and control agencies and points. At the same time, operational information is brought to SSBNs via all radio networks within 1-3 minutes with the involvement of at least two communication centers. For communication between SSBNs and the shore, Flitsatcom (USA) space communication channels are used.

The tasks of combat training in the inter-campaign period are worked out according to the plan of the fleet command, as a rule, in the form of training of combat crews of replaceable crews and the performance of combat exercises at the training grounds of the Firth of Clyde, as well as in the area of ​​the Hebrides. Control and combat launches of British SLBMs are carried out at the US Eastern Missile Range under the guidance of American specialists.

The military-political leadership of Great Britain sees the prospects for the development of strategic nuclear forces in maintaining four Vanguard-type SSBNs and Trident-2 missiles in combat readiness until 2020. Extending the terms of their operation is recognized as inappropriate. In this regard, it is planned to begin the conceptual development of a project for a promising SSBN, and it is planned to ensure its maximum unification with the submarines in combat strength.

The British government believes that the construction of the main components of national strategic nuclear forces only by enterprises of the national military-industrial complex is economically unprofitable. Arguments about the need to create a completely independent cycle of their construction in the event of a possible rupture of relations with the United States are considered untenable. Therefore, London confirmed its participation in the American Trident-2 SLBM service life extension program. The cost of upgrading a single missile would be about £250m ($500m), well below the cost of deploying an alternative missile system. The implementation of this program will make it possible to keep the Trident-2 missiles in service with the British strategic nuclear forces until the early 1940s. In addition, an agreement was reached on further cooperation with the United States in the maintenance of these missiles at the Kings Bay naval base.

On-duty crew of SSBNs for working out a control training and combat mission

The first SLBMs with an extended service life will go into service with strategic nuclear forces at the end of the next decade. The warheads, developed by British specialists, are designed for operation until 2020. Nevertheless, studies have begun at the enterprises of the national nuclear weapons complex to make a decision on the possibility of replacing, modernizing or producing new warheads.

The UK's CDF is actively involved in the implementation of multilateral treaties and various forums, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, conferences and UN Disarmament Commissions. In 1998, the country ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and encourages other states to follow suit. The British government welcomes the start of negotiations between the Russian Federation and the United States regarding the preparation of a new START Reduction and Limitation Treaty, although it does not intend to join this process. At the same time, London undertakes to continue to maintain the minimum possible composition of strategic nuclear forces, since it believes that a balanced approach has been found to the country's compliance with international obligations.

According to foreign military experts, the British strategic nuclear forces have a number of strong and weaknesses. Strengths considered: high survivability and secrecy of SSBN operations, the ability to deliver nuclear missile strikes from any area of ​​​​their patrol and from any heading angles, the ability to quickly retarget the Trident-2 SLBM to new targets.

It remains possible to increase the combat potential of strategic nuclear forces (increasing the number of missiles and warheads on each SSBN) through the use of "returnable" ammunition in arsenals. It is claimed that British boats can be covertly deployed in any region of the world. If necessary, these actions will be demonstrative, for example, by announcing that another SSBN will be put on combat patrol.

Weaknesses are the vulnerability of SSBNs at the base point, as well as the problem of the reliability of bringing combat control signals to them in a submerged position. Insufficient protection of ground-based SSBN-based infrastructure facilities, combat control and communications systems, and the nuclear weapons complex from possible ground and air strikes by a potential enemy and terrorist attacks is noted. A serious drawback is considered to be a significant period of restoration of the combat readiness of SSBNs that are under overhaul. In addition, the UK does not have its own repair and test base for SLBMs, which are sent for maintenance to the United States.

Thus, the content and direction of the activities carried out by the British military-political leadership to maintain combat readiness and develop strategic nuclear forces testify to the continued role of nuclear weapons in ensuring the national security of Great Britain and its allies.

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