View source for Trafalgar-class submarine

{{Short description|1983 class of British attack submarines}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:HMS Trafalgar SSN cropped.JPG
| Ship caption = HMS ''Trafalgar'' in 2008
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = 
| Builders = [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering]], [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
| Operators = {{navy|United Kingdom}}
| Class before = {{sclass|Swiftsure|submarine|4}}
| Class after = {{sclass|Astute|submarine|4}}
| Subclasses = 
| Cost = {{ShipCost|GBR|200|m|year=1986|r=0}} per unit
| Built range = 1977–1991
| In service range = 1983–2025
| In commission range = 
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 
| Total ships completed = 7
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships active = 
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 7
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Submarines/Fleet-Submarines/Trafalgar-Class|title=Trafalgar Class – Royal Navy|access-date=19 December 2014}}</ref>
| Ship type = [[Nuclear marine propulsion|Nuclear-powered]] [[fleet submarine]]s
| Ship displacement = *Surfaced: {{cvt|4500|to|4,800|t|LT|lk=on}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014">{{cite book|last=Bush|first=Steve|title=British Warships and Auxiliaries|year=2014|publisher=Maritime Books|page=12 |isbn=978-1904459552}}</ref>
*Submerged: {{cvt|5200|to|5300|t|LT}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
| Ship length = {{cvt|85.4|m|ftin}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
| Ship beam = {{cvt|9.8|m|ftin}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = {{cvt|9.5|m|ftin}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
| Ship power = 
| Ship propulsion = *1 × [[Rolls-Royce PWR|Rolls-Royce PWR1]] nuclear reactor
*2 × [[General Electric Company plc|GEC]] steam turbines
*2 × WH Allen turbo generators; 3.2 MW
*2 × [[Paxman (engines)|Paxman]] diesel generators {{cvt|2800|shp|MW|lk=on}}
*1 × [[Pump-jet|pump jet propulsor]]{{#tag:ref|All boats have a [[Pump-jet|pump jet propulsor]] with the exception of {{HMS|Trafalgar|S107|2}}, which was fitted with a 7-bladed conventional propeller.<ref>{{cite book |last=Graham |first=Ian |title=Attack Submarine |publisher=Gloucester Publishing |date=1989 |page=12 |isbn=978-0-531-17156-1}}</ref>|group=Note}}
*1 × motor for emergency drive
*1 × auxiliary retractable prop
| Ship speed = Over {{convert|30|kn|lk=in}}, submerged<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
| Ship range = Unlimited<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
| Ship test depth = {{cvt|600|m}}
| Ship complement = 130<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = *2 × [[Submerged signal ejector|SSE]] Mk8 launchers for Type 2066 and Type 2071 torpedo decoys
*RESM Racal UAP passive intercept
*CESM Outfit CXA
*SAWCS decoys carried from 2002
| Ship armament = *5 × {{cvt|21|in|mm|0}} [[torpedo tube]]s with stowage for up to 30 weapons:
** [[Tomahawk (missile)|Tomahawk]] Block IV cruise missiles
** [[Spearfish torpedo|Spearfish]] heavyweight torpedoes
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''''Trafalgar'' class''' was a class of [[Nuclear marine propulsion|nuclear-powered]] [[fleet submarine]]s (SSNs) that was in service with the [[Royal Navy]], and the successor to the {{sclass|Swiftsure|submarine|4}}. Like the majority of Royal Navy nuclear submarines, all seven boats were constructed at [[Barrow-in-Furness]] shipyard, [[Cumbria]]. The class made up part of the Royal Navy's nuclear-powered 'hunter-killer' submarine force. The ''Trafalgar'' class was replaced by the larger and more capable {{sclass|Astute|submarine|4}}, of which five are in service. The name ''Trafalgar'' refers to the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] fought between the Royal Navy and the combined fleets of France and Spain in 1805.

==Development==
The ''Trafalgar'' class were designed in the early 1970s during the [[Cold War]] as a refinement of the preceding ''Swiftsure'' class. Including {{HMS|Dreadnought|S101|6}}, the ''Trafalgar'' class are the fifth class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines to enter service with the Royal Navy. The [[lead ship|lead boat]] of the class, HMS ''Trafalgar'', was ordered on 7 April 1977 and completed in 1983. The last, HMS ''Triumph'', was ordered on 3 January 1986 and completed in 1991. All seven boats of the class were built and completed by [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering]] at the [[Barrow-in-Furness]] shipyard.

In 1982, ''Jane's Fighting Ships'' recorded: "Estimated cost of fourth submarine £175 million including equipment and weapon system when fitted." In 1986, ''Jane's Fighting Ships'' recorded that the average cost for this class was £200 million at 1984–85 prices.<ref name="Ref_f">''Jane's Fighting Ships, 1986–87''.</ref>

==Characteristics==
[[File:Royal Navy Submarine HMS Turbulent with a Merlin Helicopter from HMS St Albans MOD 45153520.jpg|thumb|''Turbulent'' with a Merlin helicopter from [[Type 23 frigate]] HMS ''St Albans'', during an anti-submarine exercise in the [[Gulf of Oman]], 2011.]]
As a refinement of the preceding ''Swiftsure'' class, the design of the ''Trafalgar'' class bore some similarity, including its internal layout and the [[Rolls-Royce PWR]]1 Core 3. However some improvements over the ''Swiftsure'' class included its reduced acoustic signature, which was due to the hull being covered in [[anechoic tiles]] which were designed to absorb sound rather than reflect it, making the boats quieter and more difficult to detect with active sonar. A pumpjet propulsion system was also used from the second vessel onward, rather than a conventional propeller.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trafalgar class - Nuclear-powered attack submarine|url=http://www.military-today.com/navy/trafalgar_class.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220153136if_/http://military-today.com/navy/trafalgar_class.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=20 February 2007|access-date=4 August 2016 }}</ref> The ''Trafalgar'' class were {{cvt|85.4|m|ftin}} long,<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/> have a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{cvt|9.8|m|ftin}},<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/> a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{cvt|9.5|m|ftin}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/> and a dived displacement of {{convert|5,300|tonne|LT|lk=on}}.<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/> Each boat had a complement of 130.<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/> Like all Royal Navy submarines, the ''Trafalgar'' class had strengthened [[Sail (submarine)|fins]] and retractable [[Diving plane|hydroplanes]], allowing them to surface through thick ice.

Four boats of the class — ''Torbay'', ''Trenchant'', ''Talent'' and ''Triumph'' — were fitted with the [[Sonar 2076]] system. Beginning in 2014, the last four boats of the class underwent a communications package upgrade.<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>

The ''Trafalgar'' class was equipped with five {{convert|21|in|mm|adj=on|0}} [[torpedo tube]]s with accommodation for a mixture of up to 30 weapons:<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
* [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] Block IV cruise missiles
* [[Spearfish torpedo|Spearfish]] heavyweight torpedoes

The Tomahawk missiles are capable of hitting a target to within a few metres, to a range of {{convert|1000|mi|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=United States Navy Fact File: Tomahawk Land Attack Missile|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2|publisher=US Navy|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827150407/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Ostensibly, the submarines used the same [[steering column]] as was used in the [[Vickers Wellington|Wellington bombers]] of the [[World War II|Second World War]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hennessy |first1=P. |last2=Jinks |first2=J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2016 |title=The Silent Deep |location=London |publisher=Penguin |page=16}}</ref>

==Boats of the class==
Initially, the last five boats of the ''Trafalgar'' class were to be replaced by the 'Future Fleet Submarine' programme, however, this was effectively cancelled in 2001. The {{sclass|Astute|submarine|4}} are replacing the ''Trafalgar'' class.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Third Astute submarine formally handed over to the Royal Navy|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/third-astute-submarine-formally-handed-over-to-the-royal-navy|access-date=2021-11-15|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" align="center"
! Name
! Pennant No.
! Builder
! Laid down<ref name=Janes96p758>{{cite book |editor-last=Sharpe |editor-first=Richard |title=Jane's Fighting Ships, 1996–97 |year=1996 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=0-7106-1355-5 |page=758}}</ref>
! Launched<ref name=Janes96p758/>
! Commissioned<ref name=Janes96p758/>
! Decommissioned
! Status
|- 
| {{HMS|Trafalgar|S107|2}}
| S107
|rowspan=7| [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering]], [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
| 25 April 1979 
| 1 July 1981 
| 27 May 1983 
| 4 December 2009<ref name="Ref_2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/hms_trafalgar_pulls_down_flag_and_retires_from_sea_1_646952?referrerPath=|work=Northwest Evening Mail|title=HMS ''Trafalgar'' pulls down flag and retires from sea|date=5 December 2009|access-date=2010-11-12|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304060616/http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/hms_trafalgar_pulls_down_flag_and_retires_from_sea_1_646952?referrerPath=}}</ref>
| Awaiting disposal
|- 
| {{HMS|Turbulent|S87|2}}
| S87
| 8 May 1980 
| 1 December 1982
| 28 April 1984
| 14 July 2012
| Awaiting disposal
|-
| {{HMS|Tireless|S88|2}}
| S88
| 6 June 1981
| 17 March 1984 
| 5 October 1985 
| 19 June 2014<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-27915381 |title=HMS Tireless navy submarine ends service at Devonport |work=BBC News |date=19 June 2014 |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref>
| Awaiting disposal
|-
| {{HMS|Torbay|S90|2}}
| S90
| 3 December 1982 
| 8 March 1985 
| 7 February 1987 
| 14 July 2017<ref name="SM0722">{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/july/18/170718-submariners-celebrate-hms-torbay-s-proud-service|title=Submariners celebrate HMS Torbay's proud service |date=18 July 2017 |publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=18 July 2017 }}</ref>
| Awaiting disposal
|-
| {{HMS|Trenchant|S91|2}}
| S91
| 28 October 1985 
| 3 November 1986 
| 14 January 1989 
| 20 May 2022{{cn|date=August 2025}}
| Awaiting disposal
|-
| {{HMS|Talent|S92|2}}
| S92
| 13 May 1986 
| 15 April 1988 
| 12 May 1990
| 20 May 2022{{cn|date=August 2025}}
| Awaiting disposal
|-
| {{HMS|Triumph|S93|2}}
| S93
| 2 February 1987 
| 16 February 1991 
| 12 October 1991 
| July 2025<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1947272699614580752?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |title=@NavyLookout Formal decommissioning ceremony for HMS Triumph held last week at HMS Drake. |number=1947272699614580752 |user=NavyLookout |date=21 July 2025 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
| Awaiting disposal 
|}

==Operational service==
The submarines of the class saw service in a wide range of locations, most notably firing [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] land-attack cruise missiles in anger at targets during conflicts in Afghanistan, [[Operation Telic|Iraq]] and [[Operation Ellamy|Libya]]. Three of the ''Trafalgar''-class boats were involved in such operations. In 2001 ''Trafalgar'' took part in [[Operation Veritas]], the attack on [[al-Qaeda]] and [[Taliban]] forces following the [[September 11 attacks|11 September attacks]] in the United States, becoming the first Royal Navy submarine to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles against targets in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trafalgar Returns: Nuclear powered submarine HMS Trafalgar returned home to Devonport today following involvement in the war against terror|url=http://www.btinternet.com/~warship/News/afghan9.htm|access-date=4 August 2016|date=1 March 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929123544/http://www.btinternet.com/~warship/News/afghan9.htm|archive-date=29 September 2007 |work=btinternet.com}}{{unreliable source?|date=June 2021}}</ref> During April 2003, ''Turbulent'' returned home flying the [[Use of the Jolly Roger by submarines|Jolly Roger]] after having launched thirty Tomahawk cruise missiles during the invasion of Iraq.<ref>{{cite web|title=HMS Turbulent: Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine|url=http://www.hmforces.co.uk/education/articles/1444-hms-turbulent-trafalgar-class|website=www.hmforces.co.uk|url-status=dead|access-date=21 February 2012|archive-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320140238/http://www.hmforces.co.uk/education/articles/1444-hms-turbulent-trafalgar-class}}</ref> As part of the [[2011 military intervention in Libya]], ''Triumph'' fired her Tomahawk cruise missiles on three occasions; first on 19 March,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/20/air-strikes-clear-skies|title=Air strikes clear the skies but leave endgame uncertain |access-date=21 March 2010 |first=Nick |last=Hopkins |date=20 March 2011|newspaper=The Guardian |location=London }}</ref> then again on 20 March,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1121-missiles-target-libyan-air-defences.aspx |title=Missiles target Libyan air defences |access-date=23 March 2010 |date=21 March 2011 |publisher=[[Navy News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324151148/http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1121-missiles-target-libyan-air-defences.aspx |archive-date=24 March 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1123-royal-navy-blockade-forces-gaddafis-gunboats-off-the-ocean.aspx |url-status=dead |title=Royal Navy blockade forces Gaddafi's gunboats off the ocean |work=Navy News |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=21 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326061530/http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1123-royal-navy-blockade-forces-gaddafis-gunboats-off-the-ocean.aspx |archive-date=26 March 2011 }}</ref> and finally on 24 March.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12845016 | work=BBC News | title=Libya action: More UK missiles target defences | date=24 March 2011}}</ref> Her primary targets were Libyan air-defence installations around the city of [[Sabha, Libya|Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1140-top-bombing-pulverises-gaddafis-ammo-bunkers.aspx |url-status=dead |title=Top bombing pulverises Gaddafi's ammo bunkers |work=Navy News |date=1 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404111430/http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1140-top-bombing-pulverises-gaddafis-ammo-bunkers.aspx |archive-date=4 April 2011}}</ref> ''Triumph'' returned to Devonport on 3 April 2011 flying a Jolly Roger adorned with six small Tomahawk axes to indicate the missiles fired by the submarine in the operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1142-home-in-triumph-submariners-mark-successful-libyan-mission.aspx |url-status=dead |title=Home in Triumph – submariners mark successful Libyan mission |work=Navy News |date=4 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407115123/http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1142-home-in-triumph-submariners-mark-successful-libyan-mission.aspx |archive-date=7 April 2011 }}</ref>

In 1993 ''Triumph'' sailed to Australia, covering a distance of {{convert|41000|mi|km}} whilst submerged and without any forward support. As of 2011, this remained the longest solo deployment by any British nuclear submarine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/HmsTriumphReturnsFromLibyaOperations.htm|title=HMS Triumph returns from Libya operations |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=4 April 2011 |access-date=19 December 2014 }}</ref>

===Service problems===
In 1998, ''Trenchant'' experienced a steam leak, forcing the crew to shut down the nuclear reactor. In 2000 a leak in the [[Rolls-Royce PWR|PWR1]] reactor primary cooling circuit was discovered on ''Tireless'', forcing her to proceed to [[Gibraltar]] on diesel power.<ref name=large-2005>{{Cite web | url=http://www.largeassociates.com/TirelessKurskForensic.pdf | title=Forensic Assessments of the Nuclear Propulsion Plants of the Submarines HMS Tireless and RF Northern Fleet Kursk | first=John H. |last=Large | author-link=John H. Large | publisher=Institution of Mechanical Engineers seminar: Forensic Investigation of Power Plant Failures | access-date=2007-03-22 | date=March 2005 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034246/http://www.largeassociates.com/TirelessKurskForensic.pdf | archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> The fault was found to be due to thermal fatigue cracks, requiring the other ''Trafalgar''-class boats, and some of the remaining ''Swiftsure''-class boats, to be urgently inspected and if necessary modified.<ref name=large-2005 />

In 2013 the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator reported that the reactor systems were suffering increasing technical problems due to ageing, requiring effective management. An example was that ''Tireless'' had had a small radioactive coolant leak for eight days in February 2013.<ref name=guardian-20130804>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/04/ageing-nuclear-submarines-sailors-report |title=Ageing nuclear submarines could put sailors and public at risk, report warns |first=Rob |last=Edwards |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 August 2013 |access-date=7 August 2013 }}</ref>

==Potential export==
In 1987, the Canadian White Paper on Defence recommended the purchase of 10 to 12 {{sclass|Rubis|submarine|5}}- or ''Trafalgar''-class submarines under technology transfer,<ref>{{cite book |title=Challenge and Commitment: A Defence Policy for Canada |year=1987 |publisher=[[Department of National Defence (Canada)]] |location=Ottawa |isbn=0-660-12509-9 |pages=52–54 |url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D2-73-1987-eng.pdf |access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref> with the choice of the type of submarine due to be confirmed before summer 1988.<ref>{{cite book |title=Defence Update 1988–89 |year=1989 |publisher=[[Department of National Defence (Canada)]] |location=Ottawa |isbn=0-662-55733-6 |url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D3-11-1989-eng.pdf |access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref> The goal was to build up a three-ocean navy and to assert Canadian sovereignty over Arctic waters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada's Arctic claims |author=Keith Spicer |newspaper=[[Ottawa Citizen]] |date=10 September 2007 |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=06b557bc-bbc0-4543-90e3-4da70001bef6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127073729/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=06b557bc-bbc0-4543-90e3-4da70001bef6 |archive-date=27 January 2015  }}</ref> The purchase was abandoned in April 1989 due to a growing budget deficit.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 April 1989 |title=Canada Canceling Plans to Purchase Atom Submarines |work=The New York Times |pages=1}}</ref>

==In fiction==
In June 2019, [[ITV plc|ITV]] commissioned a six-part thriller to be set aboard a fictional ''Trafalgar''-class submarine, HMS ''Tenacity''.<ref>{{cite news |title=ITV commissions six part thriller, Tenacity |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-commissions-six-part-thriller-tenacity |publisher=ITV |date=6 June 2019}}</ref> However, production on the series was paused in 2020, before being dropped all together by November 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Minnie |title=ITV drops submarine thriller Tenacity – decision not related to Vigil success |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/tenacity-dropped-itv-vigil-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |work=Radio Times |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of submarines of the Royal Navy]]
* [[List of submarine classes of the Royal Navy]]
* [[Royal Navy Submarine Service]]
* [[Future of the Royal Navy]]
* [[Cruise missile submarine]]
* [[Attack submarine]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*[http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/submarines/pages/class_overviews/trafalgar_class.htm MaritimeQuest ''Trafalgar''-class overview]
*[http://www.banthebomb.org/archives/subs/traf.htm Abridged history of each boat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221111256/http://banthebomb.org/archives/subs/traf.htm |date=21 February 2009 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* https://www.facebook.com/HMSTrafalgar/
* [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/submarines/trafalgar-class Royal Navy Trafalgar Class Submarine] (royalnavy.mod.uk)

{{Trafalgar class submarine}}
{{UK submarine classes after 1945}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trafalgar Class Submarine}}
[[Category:Submarine classes of the British Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Trafalgar-class submarines| ]]
[[Category:Nuclear-powered submarines]]