Shore-based testing

Management and operation of the Royal Navy’s land based nuclear reactor (Vulcan Shore Test Facility) at Dounreay in Scotland is undertaken by Rolls-Royce.

For over 40 years Vulcan has been the cornerstone of the Royal Navy’s nuclear propulsion programme, testing and proving the operation of four generations of reactor core.

Its reactors have significantly led the operational submarine plants in terms of operating hours, proving systems, procedures, and safety. The testing of the first long life core, which commenced in 2002 is expected to take over 10 years.

• First operation of all Royal Navy reactor core types.
• Ministry of Defence owned site managed by Roll-Royce.
• Long-term incentivised output based programme.
• Original prototype re-commissioned as ‘loss of coolant accident’ test rig.

Vulcan has adopted many different roles in support of the UK’s submarine fleet over the years, including a…

• Test bed for evolving reactor technology.
• Proving plant for sea-going equipment.
• Training facility for nuclear submarine engineers.
• Test rig for the investigation of loss of coolant conditions.