This most complex of all first of class submarines was completed on time and to cost as promised 6 years earlier. She features a state-of-the-art nuclear propulsion plant - the pressurized water reactor PWR2 - and a sophisticated and advanced Tactical Weapon System. Her comprehensive sonar suite incorporates Broadband, Ranging, Active, passive Intercept and Narrowband subsystems known collectively by the acronym BRAIN, in addition to dedicated specialist sonar systems. Vanguard's design incorporates many evolutionary changes from the Barrow-built Trafalgar Class, together with improvements in submarine safety, stealth, reliability and ease of operation and maintenance.
Externally, she has fixed hydroplanes and the hull and outer surfaces are clad with conformal anechoic noise reduction tiling.
