Although the name originally chosen for her was Inflexible, Britain's second nuclear submarine was commissioned as HMS Valiant on 18th July, 1966. Derived directly from HMS. Dreadnought, Valiant's near-perfect streamlining gave maximum underwater efficiency, whilst her fin-like conning tower was. designed to reduce 'drag' to a minimum.
As early as April 1967, Valiant set a record submerged passage. for a British submarine when she completed the 12 000-mile homeward voyage from Singapore in 28 days. Month-long submerged voyages became the routine.
Vickers' third 'nuke', Warspite, was launched on 25th September,
