Tag Archives: Vanguard-class

U.K. Revives Dreadnought Name for Successor SSBNs

U.K. Revives Dreadnought Name for Successor SSBNs

An artist’s conception of the U.K.’s Successor-class future planned ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). UK Ministry of Defense Photo

An artist’s conception of the U.K.’s Successor-class future planned ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). UK Ministry of Defense Photo

LONDON — The first of the Royal Navy’s future ballistic nuclear missile submarines will be known as HMS Dreadnought, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on Friday. Read More

Report: U.K. MoD Set to Release $1.32B for First Successor Ballistic Missile Sub

Report: U.K. MoD Set to Release $1.32B for First Successor Ballistic Missile Sub

An artist's conception of the U.K.'s Successor-class future planned ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) released Tuesday. UK Ministry of Defense Photo

An artist’s conception of the U.K.’s Successor-class future planned ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) released Tuesday. UK Ministry of Defense Photo

The U.K. Ministry of Defense is set to give manufacturers of the Royal Navy’s next nuclear submarine class $1.32 billion for early development funds for the program, according to a Monday report in The Financial Times. Read More

Benedict: UK Exit From European Union Won't Hinder Nuclear Sub Collaboration

Benedict: UK Exit From European Union Won’t Hinder Nuclear Sub Collaboration

A deck view, looking toward the bow, of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine OHIO (SSBN-726) with its missile tubes opened during precommissioning activities. The submarine, built by General Dynamics Corp., carries Trident C-4 (UGM-96) submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

A deck view, looking toward the bow, of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine OHIO (SSBN-726) with its missile tubes opened during precommissioning activities. US Navy photo.

The admiral responsible for the nuclear weapons component of ballistic missile submarines today praised the “truly unique” relationship with the British naval officers who have similar responsibilities, and said that historic cooperation would not be affected by Thursday’s vote to have the United Kingdom leave the European Union. Read More

New U.K. Defense Plan: Britain Plans to Buy P-8 Poseidons, Commits to F-35 Procurement

New U.K. Defense Plan: Britain Plans to Buy P-8 Poseidons, Commits to F-35 Procurement

A P-8A Poseidon aircraft departs Boeing Field in Seattle for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2014. US Navy Photo

A P-8A Poseidon aircraft departs Boeing Field in Seattle for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2014. US Navy Photo

CORRECTION: A previous version of this post stated the incorrect number of planned Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. The U.K. anticipates building eight of the new ship class, not five.

LONDON — Five years after a cash-strapped Great Britain retired the last of its Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft from frontline duty, Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday announced a belated replacement for the vital capability—in the shape of nine Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Read More

U.K. Election Result Boosts Royal Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine Program

U.K. Election Result Boosts Royal Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine Program

Royal Navy submarine HMS Victorious departs HMNB Clyde. UK MoD Photo

Royal Navy submarine HMS Victorious departs HMNB Clyde. UK MoD Photo

Right up to the moment the polling stations closed at 10 p.m. last Thursday in the U.K., the political pundits were unwavering in their forecasts: neither Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives nor the opposition Labour Party wielded enough firepower for an outright win in Britain’s 2015 parliamentary elections. Read More

Royal Navy Faced With Tough Sub Choices If Scotland Leaves U.K.

Royal Navy Faced With Tough Sub Choices If Scotland Leaves U.K.

HMS Vanguard arrives back at HM Naval Base Clyde following a nuclear deterrence patrol. U.K. Royal Navy Photo

HMS Vanguard arrives back at HM Naval Base Clyde following a nuclear deterrence patrol. U.K. Royal Navy Photo

The heart of the United Kingdom’s nuclear submarine enterprise could be cut out if Scotland leaves the U.K. in Thursday’s referendum on Scottish independence, British leaders have warned repeatedly over the last several months.

Scots voting “Yes” for independence say they’re happy to see the subs go. Read More