Swiftsure-class
The Swiftsure-class is a type of British attack submarine operated by the Royal Navy. The Swiftsure-class is in the process of being withdrawn to make way for the Astute-class and Of the six Swiftsures made only HMS Sceptre remains in service and is expected to be decommissioned in 2010.
The Tralagar-class is a development of the Swiftsure-class. Although slightly longer than the Swiftsures Trafalgar-class submarines retain an almost identical internal layout.[1]
Vessels
There have been 6 Swiftsure-submarines. All were built by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering in Barrow-in-Furness. The first to be commissioned, HMS Swiftsure, was also the first to be decommissioned, leaving service in 1992. HMS Splendid was the next to be decommissioned, her departure in 2004 the result of budget cuts within the Royal Navy. HMS Spartan and HMS Sovereign were decommissioned in 2006, HMS Superb in 2008 and the last of the Swiftsure-class, HMS Sceptre, is due to be decommissioned in 2010.
Specifications
- Displacement: 4,400 tons (surfaced), 4,900 tons (dived)
- Length: 82.9m
- Beam: 9.8m
- Draught: 8.5m
- Speed (dived): 30 knots
- Crew: 116[2]
References
- ↑ Fleet Submarines (SSN), Royal Navy
- ↑ All specifications taken from Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006