Royal Navy Nuclear-Missile Sub Accidentally Dove to "Danger Zone". Was Moments Away From Implosion

Daily Mail: Royal Navy nuclear submarine equipped with Trident missiles 'suffered huge malfunction that sent the vessel into an endless dive - with engineers saving the 140 crew members moments before they faced being crushed by underwater pressure' 

A Royal Navy nuclear submarine equipped with Trident missiles suffered a huge malfunction that sent it into an endless dive before the vessel was righted moments before the crew faced being crushed by underwater pressure, it was claimed today. 

The Vanguard class sub had been carrying 140 crew when its depth gauge suddenly failed while on a mission in the Atlantic. 

It caused a frantic scrabble with engineers managing to stop the submarine and its nuclear reactor from plunging further just moments before disaster struck.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is what would have happened if the plunged was not stopped .... A nuclear submarine was plunged into danger. This is what would happen if it sank (Metro). 

Royal Navy Nuclear-Missile Sub Accidentally Dove to "Danger Zone"  

Royal Navy nuclear submarine sinks towards ‘danger zone’ -- The Telegraph  

Second depth gauge saved UK Vanguard nuclear sub diving dangerously low, defense minister says -- Breaking Defense  

Royal Navy Nuclear-Missile Sub Accidentally Dove to "Danger Zone" -- Maritime Executive  

Royal Navy trident nuclear submarine saved moments before sinking -- The National  

Navy nuclear sub malfunction plunged vessel into 'danger zone' -- Metro

Royal Navy Trident nuclear sub saved moments before plunging to 'danger zone' -- Daily Record

The British Royal Navy's "Dreadnought Submarine' Is Progressing

The Dreadnought Class SSBN (ballistic missile submarine) will incorporate advanced features. This includes a new multi-layered sound reducing stealth, with built in outer hull.  

Insider: The British navy is teaming up with the US to build a new 'Dreadnought' for a totally different battle at sea 

* The British Royal Navy is building a new class of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines. 

* The British subs will have the same missile compartment as the US Navy's new missile subs. 

* The name of the new subs recalls the first Dreadnought, a battleship that redefined naval warfare. 

In 1906 the British Royal Navy commissioned HMS Dreadnought, a battleship that changed how surface warships were designed and sparked a naval arms race. 

Armed with five turrets bearing twin 12-inch guns and featuring new technologies like steam turbines and electronic fire-control equipment, HMS Dreadnought became the standard on which future battleships were based and separated the "pre-dreadnought" and "dreadnought" eras. 

 Long after the battleship's reign came to an end, the name Dreadnought is still a defining one. The Royal Navy's first nuclear-powered submarine, in service from 1963 to 1980, was also called HMS Dreadnought.  

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WNU Editor: The first two boats, HMS Dreadnought and HMS Valiant, are already under construction. They are destined to take over Britain’s nuclear deterrent from the 2030s .... First Submarine To Use New Stealth Technology (Naval News).

Russia's Newest Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine Has Completed Its Sea Trials

Russia’s strategic nuclear submarine ‘Generalissimo Suvorov’ © Russia's Defense Ministry  

Navy Recognition: Russian submarine Generalissimus Suvorov completes its trials 

The nuclear-powered submarine is now being prepared for its handover to the Russian Navy, he added. 

The Generalissimo Suvorov is a fourth-generation Borei-A class nuclear-powered submarine developed by the St. Petersburg-based Rubin Central Marine Design Bureau. 

The sub features fundamentally new technical solutions, improved equipment, reduced physical fields, and enhanced protection. Its imported components have been replaced.

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russia’s new nuclear submarine completes tests for service (RT)

Update #2: Russia’s latest nuclear-powered strategic sub wraps up all rounds of testing — Shipyard (TASS)  

WNU Editor: With the addition of this new sub Russia now has 6 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine in its fleet .... Russian navy now has six submarines capable of launching Bulava-missiles (The Barents Observer).

U.K. Nuclear Submarine Carrying Trident Nuclear Missiles Had To Abort A Top Secret Mission After An Electrical Fire Broke Out

HMS Victorious on patrol off the west coast of Scotland Credit: Andy Buchanan /PA  

The SUN: SUB BLAZE Nuclear-armed Navy submarine aborted top secret mission due to life-or-death fire beneath the waves 

A NUCLEAR-armed Navy submarine had to abort a top secret mission because of a life-or-death fire beneath the waves. 

HMS Victorious was carrying Trident 2 missiles when the electrical blaze broke out. 

The £3billion Vanguard-class nuclear submarine shot to the surface as the captain declared “emergency stations”. 

Every member of the 130-plus crew, including those off-duty, was ordered into action. 

Naval sources insisted the fire was swiftly contained.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Royal Navy nuclear-armed submarine forced to abort mission after catching fire (The Daily Telegraph)  

Update #2: British nuclear submarine caught fire – The Sun (RT)  

WNU Editor: What would have happened if this electrical fire got out of control and it destroyed the sub before word got out that there was a fire. Would the UK blame Russia? 

The Kremlin has already pointed the finger at the UK for the Nord stream pipeline attacks, and attacks on Russian targets in Crimea. I can understand why the UK government would interpret the disappearance of a UK nuclear submarine as Russian retaliation? With tensions currently this high anything is possible right now.

Nuclear Submarines From US, UK & France Are Now Docked In Scotland

USS Indiana (SSN 789) Virginia-class Block III attack submarine coming into Faslane, Scotland - April 27, 2022 #ussindiana #ssn789

* photo courtesy of @SheilaLWeir pic.twitter.com/VDWCbMRHdi

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) April 27, 2022

French Navy Rubis class submarine passing Kilcreggan this morning inbound for Faslane #Navy #Marine #Submarines #shipping pic.twitter.com/NUBtnMyByS

— Iain Cameron (@ScotlandDX) April 26, 2022

Warzone/The Drive: U.S., French, U.K. Nuclear Submarines Rendezvous In Scotland  

The unusual multinational submarine gathering comes at a time of unprecedented tensions in Europe around Russia’s war in Ukraine.  

The U.K. Royal Navy's main submarine base in Scotland appears to currently be hosting something of a small multinational submarine meet. Yesterday, U.S. Navy's Virginia class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Indiana was spotted heading in the direction of Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde. That came a day after one of the French Navy's Rubis class submarines, another nuclear-powered attack type, the specific identity of which is unknown, was seen arriving in the area.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: French and American Nuclear subs spotted berthing in Scotland (Daily Record) 

Update #2: Nuke Submarines From US, UK & France Are Now Docked In Scotland Amid ‘High-Octane’ NATO-Russia Tensions (EurAsian Times)  

WNU Editor: The French nuclear submarine has already left. This is just another sign on how high the military tensions are in Europe right now.

Russia Has Deployed A Number Of Its Nuclear Armed Subs To The North Atlantic

Project 955A nuclear-powered strategic sub Knyaz Oleg © Oleg Kuleshov/TASS  

Daily Mail: Revealed: Putin sent 'several' submarines each capable of carrying 16 ballistic missiles into the north Atlantic hours after putting his nuclear forces on 'special' alert over Ukraine invasion 

* British navy chiefs believe it was an act of 'posturing' rather than an all-out threat 

* Western intelligence has kept Kremlin's nuclear arsenal under surveillance 

* Russia's nuclear stockpile is believed to the world's largest at 4,477 warheads 

* The Pentagon said there is no indication Russia is preparing to use the weapons 

* But that has done little to reassure world leaders, particularly in the West 

Vladimir Putin sent 'several' submarines into the north Atlantic hours after putting his nuclear forces on 'special' alert over its invasion of Ukraine, it has been revealed. 

British navy chiefs believe Russia's decision to move the submarines, which are capable of carrying 16 ballistic missiles each, was an act of 'posturing' rather than an all-out threat. 

Despite them returning towards Russia shortly afterwards, western intelligence agencies have kept the Kremlin's nuclear arsenal - believed to be the world's largest at 4,477 warheads - under constant surveillance.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Vladimir Putin sends nuclear submarines into North Atlantic days after chilling threat (Mirror)  

Update #2: Russian nuclear submarines were sent into north Atlantic by Putin (Coventry Live)  

WNU Editor: This Russian submarine deployment explains why France did this .... For The First Time In 3 Decades France Has Put Three Of Its Four Ballistic Missile Submarines To Sea At The Same Time (March 24, 2022). 

Update: I have found no news on U.S. nuclear ballistic submarine deployment. Nor any news on U.K. nuclear ballistic submarine deployment.

Fire On Board Unarmed French Nuclear Attack Submarine At Toulon Harbour

Sailors aboard the French submarine "Perle" (C) inspect the vessel in Portsmouth ahead of celebrations. A fire broke out on June 12, 2020 on board of the 'Perle', one of the French army's six nuclear-powered attack submarines, but without causing any injuries, while it underwent inspections at Toulon naval base. Image Credit: AFP

AFP: Fire on board unarmed French nuclear submarine

Some 40 people were evacuated from the vessel with no injuries reported.

Marseille: A fire broke out Friday, without causing injuries, on board an unarmed French nuclear submarine undergoing renovation at a naval base in Toulon in the country's southeast, officials said.

The attack submarine La Perle (The Pearl), one of six in France's arsenal, had no nuclear fuel nor weapons on board, said the Mediterranean maritime authority. Some 40 people were evacuated from the vessel with no injuries reported.

The fire broke out at about 10.30 am in a hard-to-access part of the lower bow section of the submarine, and was still raging by mid-afternoon, according to the navy, which feared substantial material damage.

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Update: French nuclear submarine on fire at Toulon harbour: prefecture (Reuters)

WNU Editor: There appears to be extensive damage.

Update #2: A French Submarine Caught Fire In Drydock. It Could Lead Paris To Rethink Its Nuclear Deterrence Strategy. (Forbes).

A Rare Look Inside A Nuclear Powered Submarine (USS Florida)

WNU Editor: From ABC News .... ABC News’ David Muir is granted rare access inside the formidable USS Florida, a nuclear powered guided missile submarine. Crew members discuss the conflict with Russia.

More Navies Want To Have Nuclear Submarines

The Brazilian Navy's locally-built Scorpène Class submarine Riachuelo (S-40). She has a conventional power plant but the first nuclear variant, Álvaro Alberto, is already under construction. Brazilian Navy

Forbes: Nuclear Submarine Game Changer: New Countries To Go Atomic

Today the number of countries operating nuclear-powered submarines is the same as it was 30 years ago at the end of the Cold War. That looks set to change with more navies thinking nuclear!

When, on January 17 1955, the captain of USS Nautilus reported "Underway on nuclear power" it ushered in a new era of submarine warfare. In fact it was such a game changer that it reset naval warfare generally. Nuclear powered submarines were faster, did not need to surface during a mission and could run until their crew’s stores run out. Yet despite the disruptive nature of nuclear-powered submarines, few navies could follow the U.S. Navy into this new era. Russia, Britain, France and China built them, and India joined the ranks in the late 1980s by leasing a Russian boat.

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WNU Editor: They are not cheap to build or maintain.

France Launches The First Of Its New Class Of Nuclear Attack Submarines

Warzone/The Drive: France Launches The First Of Its New Class Of Super Quiet "Barracuda" Attack Submarines

The Suffren and her sisters are set to usher in a new era of French Navy submarine operations.

French shipbuilder Naval Group launched the future first-in-class nuclear-powered attack submarine Suffren earlier today, the first of six submarines the French Navy will eventually receive to replace the existing Rubis class. These new boats, which will be able to fire SCALP land-attack cruise missiles and carry small teams of special operations forces, will be significantly more capable than their predecessors and be able to take on a varied array of missions.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and the country's top naval officer Admiral Christophe Prazuck, among other dignitaries, attended the launch ceremony at Naval Group's shipyard in Cherbourg on the English Channel on July 12, 2019. What was then known as DCNS first laid down the future Suffren in 2007. The French Navy expects to commission the boat next year.

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WNU Editor: The French are always surprising me on the equipment and weapons that they can produce.

A Look Inside America’s Aging Nuclear Missile Submarines

The nuclear missile submarine USS Tennessee (SSBN-734)

Breaking Defense: Inside America’s Aging Nuclear Missile Submarines

America's nuclear deterrent is aging, with a half-dozen replacement programs on the horizon. But the young men and women who serve, Gen. John Hyten said, are better than ever: “They love this country. They want to defend this country. They go to work every day. They’re amazing — they’re smarter than we were, by far. They get motivated differently so you have to lead them differently, but their passion is just the same.”

KING’S BAY, GEORGIA: Imagine drifting off to sleep underwater in a tiny room with eight other people, with nuclear missile tubes on either side.

Need a drink now? Too bad, because, while in theory the skipper can authorize alcohol, in practice he never will. You can eat canned asparagus every day though, if you want, thanks to a quirk in Navy nutrition regulations. (It’s unclear how much of it ends up compacted into cubes with the other garbage, weighted down, and dumped to the ocean floor). Oh, and as another health benefit, even though you live next to a mobile nuclear reactor, you get less radiation than the average American simply because you spend months at a time without seeing the sun.

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WNU Editor: These subs are getting old. The Columbia class will replace these subs at a cost of $128 billion (give or take).

All The Nuclear Missile Submarines In The World In One Chart

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Popular Mechanics: All the Nuclear Missile Submarines in the World in One Chart

Only seven countries in the entire world deploy nuclear weapons at sea, an exclusive and deadly club.

The ballistic missile submarine is the most reliable means of nuclear deterrence. These vessels would survive a first strike and retaliate, which is meant to prevent an enemy from ever using its weapons. These fearful underwater giants stay hidden in the oceans avoiding detection at all costs and are always ready for the moment they might be needed.

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WNU Editor: There are 45 nuclear missile submarines in the world, and the destructive power in just one of these subs is truly frightful.

Life Aboard A U.S. Nuclear Submarine

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

The Navy’s Virginia-class fast-attack submarine is its newest and most technologically advanced. Its quiet nuclear-powered propulsion system and sensitive sonar are designed for tracking other subs and warships. The Navy has 12 of the subs and plans to acquire at least 30.

L.A. Times: Aboard a U.S. nuclear sub, a cat-and-mouse game with phantom foes

America's most advanced nuclear submarine was slicing through the water off Hawaii last month, 400 feet under the surface, when a sonar operator suddenly detected an ominous noise on his headphones.

It was a faint thump … thump … thump — the distinctive sound of a spinning, seven-bladed propeller on a Chinese attack submarine called a Shang by the Pentagon and its allies.

A neon green stripe on his sonar screen indicated that the Shang was only a few thousand yards off the U.S. sub's bow.

"Sonar contact!" he yelled to 15 officers and crew in the dimly lighted control room. "All stations, analyze!"

Within seconds, the 377-foot-long Mississippi banked right and gunned its nuclear-powered propulsion system for one of the Navy's most difficult maneuvers: sneaking up behind another submarine and shadowing it without being detected.

WNU Editor: The Pacific is becoming the key region for these subs to now operate .... The Navy now has 43 of its 71 submarines in the Pacific.

Five Of Britain's Six Nuclear Subs Are Being Repaired

HMS Astute

Daily Mail: Revealed, Royal Navy has just ONE nuclear submarine on active duty

* The HMS Astute is the only new hunter-killer submarine on active patrol
* Four of the other submarines are still in production after numerous delays
* HMS Ambush is yet to complete a maiden voyage after 57 defects found
* Royal Navy is bolstering its resources by using older ships for defences

The Royal Navy has just one nuclear powered submarine in operation after the rest of the fleet has been left out of action due to defects and damage.

Four of the Royal Navy's new multi-billion hunter and killer submarines are still in dock at Barrow-in-Furness because of defects that have delayed their production - 15 years after the new ships were first ordered.

Only two of the boats have actively joined the fleet, and one has already had to return to the dock and can only be used for training after more than 50 defects were found.

Update: Don’t tell Moscow: Five of Britain's six nuclear subs held up in the repair shed -- Express

WNU Editor: Did someone say "lemon"?

No US Navy Progress In Having A Replacement For The Ohio Submarine Replacement

Ohio-class submarine launches Trident ICBMs (artist concept)

Navy: Ohio Replacement Negotiations ‘Have Not Progressed’ -- USNI

The Navy’s top acquisition official told the Senate Armed Services Committee Seapower Subcommittee that talks with the Defense Department “have not progressed” in putting the Ohio-class ballistic-missile replacement program into a special National Capital Ships Account.

Testifying on 8 May, Sean Stackley said the long-range impact of keeping the 12 Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines in the Navy’s shipbuilding account means “we will not be able to hit the numbers” to build other ships.

Even though costs have been driven down—from $7 billion per vessel to $4.9 billion—he said that effort “does not buy ship affordability.” The Navy’s shipbuilding plans five years from now call for spending $20 billion for 12 to 15 years to put the replacement ballistic missile submarines into the fleet. The Navy’s shipbuilding request for Fiscal Year 2014 is slightly more than $10 billion.

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My Comment: It all comes down to money .... or a lack of.

A Retiring Admiral Talks About The Future Of The U.S. Navy And It's Strategic Nuclear Submarines

USS Michigan (SSBN-727)

Budget Cuts Could Reshape The Country’s Ship Supply, Official Says. -- Walter Pincus, Washington Post

Does the United States need a 300-ship Navy or will it over the next 70 years need seven strategic nuclear submarines on patrol in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans? Each would have 24 intercontinental ballistic missiles, all of which could carry up to five nuclear warheads.

That was the choice Vice Adm. William Burke, deputy chief of Naval Operations Warfare Systems, described Tuesday at the Congressional Breakfast Seminar Series.

Burke, who is set to retire in the next few weeks, spoke frankly about the undersea portion of the U.S. strategic nuclear triad “and its intersection with our shipbuilding plan.”

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My Comment: In short .... something is going to have to be cut .... and it will impact U.S. national security.

US Nuclear Attack Submarine Collides With Fishing Vessel In Persian Gulf (Updated)

Fast-attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) prepares to moor pierside at Naval Station Mayport. Homeported in Norfolk, Va., this submarine's namesake invokes a special connection to the people of Jacksonville. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leah Stiles. Wikipedia

Billion-Dollar US Nuclear Sub Comes Off Worst In Strait Of Hormuz Collision With ‘Fishing Boat’ -- RT

The USS Jacksonville, a large nuclear submarine, has broken its periscope after colliding with a vessel which escaped unscathed. This is the latest collision to involve a US vessel in the busy and tense oil chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz.

The American sub was performing a routine pre-dawn patrol when seamen heard a “thump”, according to a Navy source who spoke to several news agencies. The crew tried to ascertain the damage by looking into its periscope, only to realize it was no longer working. The other periscope on the submarine revealed that the first one had been “sheared off”.

It appears the ‘fishing trawler’ that collided with the 7,000-tonne submarine was not only undamaged, but barely noticed the accident.

Read more ....

More News On The USS Jacksonville Accidentally Striking A Fishing Vessel In The Strait Of Hormuz

U.S. attack submarine strikes vessel in Gulf -- Reuters
US nuclear attack submarine hits fishing vessel in Gulf -- NBC
Nuclear-powered US submarine hits boat in Gulf -- The Guardian
Sub hits Gulf vessel, no injuries: U.S. navy -- Al Arabiya
Navy submarine struck, loses periscope -- UPI
Periscope on Pearl Harbor-based US Navy submarine damaged after collision in Persian Gulf -- Washington Post/AP
Navy Sub Goes Bump in the Night and Loses Its Periscope -- ABC News
US sub's periscope strikes vessel in Gulf: Navy -- AFP

Russian Commissions A New Nuclear Sub

Yury Dolgoruky. © cortesy of the Sevmash shipyard’s press service

Russia Commissions First Borey Class Nuclear Sub -- RIA Novosti

SEVERODVINSK, January 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russia’s first Borey class ballistic missile nuclear submarine, the Yury Dolgoruky, was officially commissioned into the Russian Navy on Thursday.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attended the flag hoisting ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk in northern Russia.

Read more ....

More News On Russia Commissioning It's First Borey Class Nuclear Sub

Finally flying colors: Yury Dolgoruky nuclear sub joins Russian Navy -- RT
Latest-generation sub enters service with Russian Navy -- Voice of Russia
New Russian nuclear sub enters service -- Navy Times/AP
New Russian nuclear submarine goes into service -- Reuters
Russia’s first post-Soviet nuclear sub is handed over for naval sea trials -- Scotsman
The Launch Of Russia's New 'Silent' Sub Is Just One Step In Rebuilding Its Mighty Military -- Business Insider
New Russian nuclear sub 'safer than Kursk' -- BBC
Russia Sails New Nuclear Submarine While U.S. Continues Fleet Delays -- Brian Slattery, Heritage Foundation

Shipyard Worker Pleads Guilty For Causing The Fire On The USS Miami

Shipyard Worker Pleads Guilty To Arson In $400 Million Fire On Submarine -- MSNBC/Reuters

A former painter at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine who admitted using a cigarette lighter to ignite a fire that caused about $400 million in damage to a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine simply to get out of work pleaded guilty on Thursday to arson.

The blaze set by Casey James Fury, 24, in May aboard the attack submarine USS Miami, which was in dry dock for repairs at the shipyard in Kittery, Maine, burned for 12 hours and injured five emergency responders battling the flames.

Fury, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court in Portland, Maine as part of a deal with prosecutors.

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More News On Shipyard Worker Pleading Guilty For Causing The Fire On The USS Miami

Shipyard worker, 24, pleads guilty to setting alight docked nuclear submarine 'to get out of work after problems with his ex-girlfriend' - causing $450 million in damages -- Daily Mail
Ex-worker pleads guilty to setting nuke sub fire -- Seattle Times/AP
Shipyard worker pleads guilty in $400 million submarine fire -- CNN
Guilty plea in costly arson fire on nuclear submarine in Maine -- Reuters
Ex-shipyard painter admits $450M submarine arson -- USA Today
Ex-worker could get more than 15 years for setting nuke sub fire -- Boston Herald

British Nuclear Submarines have Been Hit By More Than 200 Fires In The Past 25 Years

Britain's Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine HMS Astute. There have been more than 200 fires on nuclear submarines in 25 years. Photo: REUTERS

Nuclear Submarines Hit By More Than 200 Fires In The Past 25 Years -- The Telegraph

There have been 266 fires on nuclear submarines in the past 25 years, it has emerged.

The incidents included 74 on ballistic missile submarines.

Three of the fires happened while the vessels were in naval bases, one of them on a ballistic missile submarine.

Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, gave the figures in response to a parliamentary question by SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson.

Mr Robertson said the "apparent vulnerability" to fire events on these vessels raises "grave questions" for UK ministers.

He said: "Any one of these fires could have had catastrophic consequences and the frequency of these incidents raises the most serious safety concerns.

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My Comment: Makes you wonder what are the actual stats for U.S., Russian, Chinese, etc. fires aboard nuclear submarines