Engineering:SSN(R)
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | SSN(R) |
| Operators: |
 Royal Navy |
| Preceded by: | Astute class |
| Built: | 2030 (planned) |
| In service: | 2040 (planned) |
| General characteristics (conceptual) | |
| Type: | Nuclear attack submarine |
| Propulsion: | Nuclear reactor |
| Armament: | Torpedoes and missiles |
The Submersible Ship Nuclear (Replacement) or SSN(R) (also known as the Maritime Underwater Future Capability (MUFC)) is a planned class of nuclear-powered fleet submarine (SSN) intended to enter service with the United Kingdom Royal Navy in the 2040s as a replacement for the current Astute class, the last of which will be delivered in 2026.[1]
Development
The initial concept phase of the programme was scheduled to last for three years. This phase had begun in early 2018 but was suspended for two years due to delays in the Astute-class and Dreadnought-class delivery programmes.[2] In 2020, the Ministry of Defence recruited for a Submarine Delivery Agency Project Manager to work on the SSN(R) design and development process.[3][4][5]
In March 2021, the government’s defence paper Defence in a Competitive Age committed to funding the SSN(R) project.[6] This was followed in September 2021 by an investment of £170 million by the government in the form of two £85 million contracts to BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Holdings for early design work on the SSN(R).[7][8][9] The investment will support 350 jobs for the UK economy.[7]
In November 2022, MSubs Ltd was awarded a £15.4m contract to build an XLUUV (Extra Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle) vessel which is to be delivered to the Royal Navy within two years. The 17-tonne vessel (known as Project CETUS) is described as being "the next step in developing autonomous underwater warfare capability" and is also to feed into the design of SSN(R).[10]
In January 2023 it was reported that the submarines were likely to incorporate a vertical launch system (VLS) for land-attack missiles. This would be a first for Royal Navy SSNs, which currently launch land-attack missiles via their torpedo tubes. A VLS system was described as likely to increase interoperability options with the US Navy since future US land attack missiles may not have a horizontal launch option.[11]
The SSN(R) is likely to be delivered through the 2040s and 2050s.[12]
See also
- Future of the Royal Navy
References
- ↑ Heappey, James (6 February 2020). "HMS Audacious - Ministry of Defence written question – answered on 6th February 2020". https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2020-01-30.10350.h. "We remain committed to delivering all seven Astute boats by the end of 2026"
- ↑ "The future of Royal Navy attack submarines". Navy Lookout. 26 February 2020. https://www.navylookout.com/the-future-of-royal-navy-attack-submarines/.
- ↑ "Submarine Delivery Agency Corporate Plan 2018-19". Ministry of Defence. April 2018. pp. 10. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/701542/20180419-SDA_Corp_plan_final_portrait.pdf.
- ↑ "SDA Project Manager". https://www.matchtech.com/job/EMP451390/sda-project-manager-barrowinfurness-england.
- ↑ Sutton, H (8 December 2019). "New Intelligence On The Secretive Next Generation British Attack Submarine: SSNR". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2019/12/08/new-intelligence-on-the-secretive-next-generation-british-attack-submarine-ssnr/.
- ↑ "Defence in a competitive age". Ministry of Defence. March 2021. p. 54. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/971859/_CP_411__-_Defence_in_a_competitive_age.pdf.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Design work begins on successor to Astute-class submarines in £170m deal". Royal Navy. 17 September 2021. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/september/17/20210917-astute-successor.
- ↑ "Submarines: £170m investment for next generation guarantees 350 jobs". BBC News. 17 September 2021. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58599757.
- ↑ "£170-million investment for the next generation of Royal Navy submarines". Ministry of Defence. 17 September 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/170m-investment-for-the-next-generation-of-royal-navy-submarines.
- ↑ https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-purcases-its-first-uncrewed-submarine/
- ↑ "Britain’s New Attack Submarine To Be First With VLS". Naval News. 19 January 2023. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/01/britains-new-attack-submarine-to-be-first-with-vertical-launch-system/.
- ↑ Allison, George (23 March 2021). "UK to develop new class of nuclear submarine". UK Defence Journal. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-to-develop-new-class-of-nuclear-submarine/.
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