We power the UK Royal Navy's nuclear submarine fleet

We power the UK’s nuclear underwater defences

Our market-leading position in submarine propulsion systems encompasses everything from design and procurement to manufacture and in-service support.

For the last 60 years we have designed, supplied and supported the nuclear propulsion plant that provides power for all of the UK Royal Navy's nuclear submarines.

We’re responsible for delivering the Nuclear Steam Raising Plants (NSRP), plus parts of the secondary propulsion systems to the UK Ministry of Defence. We also manage these assets across their full lifecycle.

This includes providing frontline support across the world for Royal Navy submarine reactor plant equipment from our Operations Centre in Derby. We also support the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.

To achieve this, we employ world class engineers from a variety of backgrounds, and similarly-skilled functional staff to provide customers with safe and timely delivery and cost-effective engineering solutions.

Our engineers design and substantiate the safety of the NSRP including: reactor cores, primary systems pipework and valves, major vessels, and the electronic control systems. They also do the same for parts of the secondary equipment, including the turbo-generators and propulsors.

18m+
miles travelled by submarines powered by Rolls-Royce nuclear power
A small spoonful
of uranium is all it takes to power a fully-submerged submarine on a full circumnavigation of the world
+20yrs
is possible from a single reactor core, offering similar power and volume to the Trent XWB engine
60yrs
of design/technical experience combine in the nuclear steam raising plant

The power of submarines

The UK Royal Navy has maintained a Continuous At Sea Deterrence capability since 1969, in the form of the Vanguard class submarines and its predecessors. This means one deterrent submarine is on operational patrol and in a position to launch a nuclear missile 24/7, 365 days a year – all powered by Rolls-Royce. In addition, we have powered all of the Royal Navy's attack submarines since HMS Valiant was launched in 1963.

The Royal Navy currently operates two submarine types: The larger Vanguard class ballistic deterrent submarine (SSBN) and the Trafalgar and Astute class attack submarines (SSN). The new SSBN Dreadnought, which will replace the Vanguard Class, is in production and due to be operational in the early 2030s. The entire submarine fleet of SSBNs is now fitted with our most advanced reactor cores enabling them to operate for over 20 years without needing to be refuelled.

What the UK’s submarines do:

  • Provide the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Defence Capability
  • Nuclear submarines provide a sustained global reach without support, whilst remaining undetected
  • Rolls-Royce Submarines employs over 1,500 engineers to design, manufacture and support the NSRP throughout its lifecycle
  • Today’s submarine nuclear reactors will operate for over 20 years
  • They are as quiet as a modern car at idle but designed to have the power performance of a gas turbine
  • Unlike previous diesel-powered submarines, the dived endurance of nuclear powered submarines is only limited by the amount of food that can be carried and the endurance of the crew

On behalf of the MOD, Rolls-Royce has operated two prototype reactor plants at the trials establishment in the north of Scotland.

The Dreadnought Alliance
The Dreadnought nuclear-powered, ballistic missile submarine programme will be the ultimate deterrent against the more extreme threats to the UK’s way of life – both now and in the future.

Since 1 April 2018, a new Alliance construct has had responsibility for delivery of the Dreadnought submarine programme. This Alliance was formed between the Ministry of Defence’s Submarine Delivery Agency, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. This innovative approach meets the recommendation of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review to harness effective working relationships between the MoD and its partners and improve performance.

The Alliance's mission is to deliver four Dreadnought submarines for £31 billion, with the first one ready for patrol in the 2030s. We have Vanguard platforms at sea and they must be replaced on time to maintain Continuous At Sea Deterrence.

Visit the dedicated Dreadnought Alliance website