Power was derived from a series of propulsion methods but all stemmed from the Rolls-Royce PWR2 (Pressurized Water Reactor) nuclear reactor. The reactor was coupled with a pair of General Electric Company (GEC) brand turbines to deliver some 27,500 horsepower to a single shaft pump jet. Additionally, there were two retractable auxiliary propulsion motors, two W.H. Allen turbo generators and a pair of Paxman diesel alternators. All told, this powerplant supplied the Vanguard with a top dive speed of up to 25 knots (29mph; 46 kmh). Her surface speed - largely unreported in many publications - is most likely in the vicinity of 12 to 15 knots. Due to her nuclear-based reactor, she sports virtually unlimited range and an endurance marked for approximately 20 years of service, perhaps even 30 - though refueling takes place within every 10 years of operation.
The Vanguard was fitted with an array of key sensors and processing systems to make for a complete - and lethal - tool under the seas, be they offensive or defensive in nature. The Thales Underwater System Type 2054 composite sonar suite was made up of the Type 2046 towed sonar array, the Type 2043 active /passive search sonar, the Kelvin Hughes Type 1007 I band navigation radar system and the Pilkington Optronics CK51 search periscope (the latter with thermal imager and television camera). The Thales UPM intercept Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system, coupled with a pair of Mk10 series Type 2066/Typ2071 decoy launchers, form the Vanguard's Electronic Warfare (EW) suite.
In terms of armament, the Vanguard was prepped to deliver either torpedoes or sea-launched missiles. The former was comprised of 4 x 21-inch (533mm) tubes for the launching of Spearfish heavy torpedoes. These 80-knot speed torpedoes could operate through autonomous active or passive homing sonar or could be equally wire-guided to their target. The Spearfish became a dual-purpose weapon system suitable for engaging enemy submarines under the surface of the water or surface vessels as needed. The sea-launched missile component was made up of 16 x Trident D5 SLBMs (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles). These large missiles, like the Polaris before them, were American in origin an designed by the defense firm of Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Sunnyvale, California. Each missile was designed to deliver a total of 128 warheads between them (192 maximum). In actuality, the number of warheads fielded was - as stated by the Royal Navy - never exceeding 96 and this was further reduced after the UK Strategic Defense Review to just 48. There were sixteen total vertical launch tubes for the sixteen Trident missiles meaning that once the salvo was loosed, the tubes remained empty until refit. With the end of the Cold War, growing economic considerations, arms reduction treaties and the like, the strategic role of such missile-minded vessels were reduced in turn. As such, the Vanguard-class has had their fire readiness status lowered from "minutes" to "days".
On February 4th, 2009, HMS Vanguard collided with the French submarine "Triomphant" in Atlantic waters. The crash resulted in structural damage but HMS Vanguard was allowed back to Faslane, Scotland for repairs under her own power. She maintains an active presence for the Royal Navy as of this writing.
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