Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship

^LTD.

^{HMS Unseen, one of the new generation of diesel-electric submarines operated by the Royal Navy. U.K. MINISTRY OF DEFENCE} 

Class name: Upholder

Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness; Cammell Laird, Birkenhead

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 2,185/2,400

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 230.6/70.3 Beam: 24.9/7.6 Draft: 18/5.5

Armament: Six 533mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons

Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw; 5,400 SHP

Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)

Number in class: 4

Users: United Kingdom

Comments: A really nice class of SSKs, these boats are probably the finest diesel-electric submarines in the world. Fully the equal of the Trafalgars in sensors and armament, they may be sold off to export customers.

Class name: Vanguard

Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/ VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 15,850 (submerged)

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 489.7/149.3 Beam: 42/12.8 Draft: 33.1/10.1

Armament: Sixteen Trident II (D-5) SLBMs; four 533mm torpedo tubes with [?] 18 weapons

Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one pumpjet propulsor; 27,500 SHP

Speed (knots): 25 (submerged)

Number in class: 1 + 3

Users: United Kingdom

Comments: These are probably going to be the last class of SSBNs ever built for the Royal Navy. Representing everything ever learned by the Royal Navy in submarine design, these elegantly designed boats have something of a 'big shoulders' look because of the way the bow planes are mounted.

^{Resolution (British). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Resolution

Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 7,600/8,500

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 424.8/129.5 Beam: 33.1/10.1 Draft: 30/9.2

Armament: Sixteen Polaris (A-3) SLBMs; six 533mm torpedo tubes with [?] 18 weapons

Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one 7-bladed screw; 27,500 SHP

Speed (knots): 25 (submerged)

Number in class: 3

Users: United Kingdom

Comments: The old warhorses of the British submarine force, the units (three remain in commission as of this writing) of the 'R' class have been keeping the peace for over a quarter century now. Being retired as the new 'V' class boats come on line, they are roughly equivalent to the U.S. Lafayette-class SSBNs.

Sweden

Of all the nations that operate submarines, none is probably less understood and more underestimated than Sweden. The Swedes have always had an independent streak when it comes to defense issues, and this is certainly true of their submarine force. At the moment, they produce some of the most advanced conventionally powered submarines in the world. Their boats have a decidedly inshore design philosophy, consistent with the Swedish requirements of operating in the Baltic. In addition, the Swedes are leaders in non-nuclear Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems. Currently they are finishing development of the Gotland (A-19 class) boats, equipped with a Sterling AIP system to keep the batteries charged for longer submerged endurance. Like all other nations, the Swedes are aggressively marketing their boats for export. They have had a particular success with the sale of six boats (the Collins class) to Australia.

^{Gotland (A-19) (Swedish). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Gotland (A-19 class)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Sweden/Kockums, Malmo

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,300 (submerged)

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 172.2/52.5 Beam: 19.9/6.1 Draft: 18.4/5.6

Armament: Six 533mm and three 400mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons

Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 5-bladed screw; [?] 4,500 SHP; Sterling engine AIP system to be installed

Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)

Number in class: 0 + 3

Users: Sweden

Comments: Essentially an updated A-17 class, with improved sensors and combat systems and the incorporation of two Sterling engine-driven generators for improved slow-speed submerged endurance.

^{Vastergotland (A-17) (Swedish). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Vastergotland (A-17 class)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Sweden/Kockums, Malmo, and Karlskrona Varvet

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,070/1,140

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 159.1/48.5 Beam: 19.9/6.1 Draft: 18.4/5.6

Armament: Six 533mm and three 400mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons

Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 5-bladed screw; [?] 4,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)

Number in class: 4

Users: Sweden

Comments: Essentially improved Nackens, these boats are quite capable for Baltic operations.

^{Nacken (A-14) (Swedish). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Nacken (A-14 class)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Sweden/Kockums, Malmo, and Karlskrona Varvet

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,030/1,125

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 162.4/49.5 Beam: 18.7/5.7 Draft: 13.4/4.1

Armament: Six 533mm and two 400mm torpedo tubes with 12 weapons

Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 5-bladed screw; [?] 4,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)

Number in class: 3

Users: Sweden