From 1969 to 1977, Vickers laid down a new class of six Swiftsure Class submarines (Swiftsure, Sovereign, Superb, Sceptre, Spartan and Splendid) which incorporated major improvements and enhanced operational capability, bringing the total nuclear-powered Fleet submarines in the Royal Navy to 12. Budget cuts prompted the early retirement of the lead vessel, Swiftsure in 1992. Splendid, the first vessel of the class to receive and fire Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles is reportedly scheduled for deletion in 2003. After this class was completed, work began on the next generation of even more sophisticated Trafalgar Class SSN submarines.
LIFE ON BOARD
Most of a nuclear-powered submarine's crew are watchkeepers whose working hours are taken up by regular watch-keeping positions and with the continuous training task. 'Off-duty' time is not entirely free as everyone has some further task to perform, such as routine maintenance, paper-work or 'housekeeping' and 'domestic' chores.
To maintain peak efficiency, proper relaxation is very necessary, and entertainment during patrols is provided by a wide selection of films/videos, a large popular 'paperback' library, and by personal stereo or compact disc players which cater for individual musical tastes. Accommodation is of a high standard, despite obvious limitations in space. The mess, recreation and sleeping spaces are as pleasant and comfortable as possible within the confines of a submarine hull, and a modern, well-equipped galley, which maintains a high standard of catering, offers a choice of several hot or cold dishes at all mealtimes.
CHANGING ROLE IN THE MILLENNIUM
Although capable of keeping up with a surface fleet, it was considered unlikely that the high-performance Fleet submarines would ever be seen in close formation with surface ships in normal exercises or in actual operations. With some fearsome title of 'Hunter-Killers', their perceived task was to hunt down their prey alone - to reduce the risk of being attacked by friendly forces. However, recent developments in the communications fit in modernised RN nuclear submarines has resulted in improved connectivity with surface vessels and aircraft and has fitted them for a new role, working with the fleet in Maritime Contributions to Joint Operations (MCJO). When not engaged in such operations, their stealth characteristics can be fully utilized in intelligence gathering.
The nuclear-powered submarine represents a terrible threat to surface warships, for her speed enables her to close in, attack with a variety of weapons - such as guided torpedoes or missiles - and then withdraw at high speed and her stealth capability enables this to be achieved without detection. The recent and ongoing installation of Tomahawk cruise missile systems at refit has opened up a new offensive dimension in land attack capability. As Admiral Sir John Fisher wrote prophetically in 1904 - 'It's astounding to me how the very best amongst us fail to realize the vast impending revolution in naval warfare and naval strategy that the submarine will accomplish!'
On the 15th March, 1983, HMS Warspite returned to her base at Faslane, after an 111-day patrol off the Falklands - stated to be the longest ever made in peacetime by a British submarine. With a 110-man crew, her Commanding Officer, Cdr J G F Cooke, said the only things left in the submarine's deep freeze were 'three herrings and two lemons'.
