The British Naval programme has seen five new core
designs pass from concept into manufacture at Rolls-Royce.
Three core designs were developed for the basic PWR1
plant with two further designs developed for the larger
PWR2 plant.
Rolls-Royce staff are located at the waterfront at all
UK naval bases to provide dedicated support
However, new core designs do not suddenly appear. Between
establishing the initial requirement and prototype operation
there are many years of co-operative multi-disciplinary
effort.
The success achieved is well illustrated by the changes
in the ratio of core power to hydraulic power and the
dramatic fall in reactor noise.
Features and benefits
- Has supported continuous at sea deterrent since
April 1968
- Long-life core lasts the entire life of the submarine
eliminating costly mid-life refuelling
- Designed by Rolls-Royce on behalf of the UK Ministry
of Defence
- Allows the submarines to operate for long periods
submerged only restricted by the food on board
- Each generation of reactor plant has seen improvement
in stealth for the submarine
Rolls-Royce, working with the with the Ministry of
Defence is developing an integrated and coherent programme
to support technology insertion into the current submarine
classes and Astute.
Part of this programme will consider possible options
for a future generation of safer, more available and
affordable submarine reactor plant.
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