Redevelopment of the Submarine Support Facilities at Devonport Royal Dockyard

摘要

The Royal Navy currently operates SWIFTSURE and TRAFALGAR class attack submarines and the larger VANGUARD class strategic deterrent submarines which carry Trident missiles. All the Royal Navy's submarines are now powered by pressurised water nuclear reactor systems. During the lifetime of a submarine, a number of engineering maintenance refits are required. In refit, the pressure hull and all the key systems are inspected and overhauled or replaced as necessary. Spent nuclear fuel may be removed and replaced with new fuel and selected systems will be updated with new technology to enhance operation or safety performance. A major refit and refuel takes approximately two years to complete and requires specialised facilities and expertise specifically developed for the task of handling and working with radioactive substances. Submarines have been refuelled and refitted at Devonport Dockyard since the 1970s.