Submarines

Submarines propulsion

We are the pioneer of one of the most important technological advances in naval propulsion - the use of nuclear propulsion for the Royal Navy's submarine flotilla…

Submarines capability

Within the Rolls-Royce Submarines business, over 1,000 engineers play key roles in the design and support of the nuclear propulsion plant …

Recent technological advances include the long-life core, designed to last for the complete platform life. We are also developing non-nuclear systems and services, such as submarine rescue systems and ZEBRA batteries.

In 2007 we signed an innovative 10-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence worth £1 billion to help keep Royal Navy submarines at sea.

It covers support of nuclear powerplant systems on board the current fleet of 13 Swiftsure, Trafalgar and Vanguard class submarines and new Astute class submarines when they enter service.

The contract breaks new ground – Rolls-Royce and MoD will form a joint team to set agreed service levels, and the company will be paid for meeting those targets rather than through individual contracts.

We will also receive additional incentive payments for improvements, creating savings for the Ministry when submarines are in service. Both parties share savings made through improved business efficiency and effectiveness.

The new working arrangements respond to the Ministry’s requirement for closer co-operation from its contractor base to better manage costs, as outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy White Paper.

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