A total of 26 torpedos could be carried, usually Mk8 or Mk20
models. Mines could also be carried.
Powerplant:
One Rolls Royce PWR nuclear reactor was fitted, driving two
English Electric steam turbines producing a total of
15000shp and driving one shaft. Maximum speed was 20kts
surfaced and 28kts dived. A Paxman diesel generator is also
fitted. A Paxman diesel generator is also fitted.
Electronics
Fit:
Radar:
Type 1006 navigation
Sonar:
Type 2001 conformal
Type 2007 flank mounted
Type 197 intercept
DCA AIO / fire control
HMS Valiant and her
sister ship Warspite used reactors based on the prototype
developed at Dounray in Scotland by Rolls-Royce and the
Atomic Energy Authority, and hence were the first truly
British nuclear submarines. Unlike Dreadnought greater
attention was paid to noise reduction rather than speed and
an emergency diesel electric drive was fitted for silent
running. Measuring 86.8 metres in length and 10.1 metres in
breadth they displaced 4,300 tons surfaced and 4,800 tones
submerged, making them larger than Dreadnought. That
together with a fractionally larger crew - 116 - were the
only major differences in terms of specification.
Valiant was ordered on 31st August
1960 and laid down in June 1959. Launched by Lady
Thornycroft on December 3rd 1963 her construction cost £25
million. Commissioning on July 18th 1966, Valiant joined the
Third Submarine Squadron at Faslane. In April 1967 she
completed a 28 day journey from the UK to Singapore. The
duration of the journey- 12,000 miles - was spent submerged,
which was then a record for a British submarine. Valiant
entered a refit at Chatham Dockyard in 1970 and upon
recommissioning on May 12th 1972 she became the first
submarine of a new Squadron based at Devonport. In 1977 she
attended the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review off Spithead and
later in the same year she began a second refit at Chatham,
which included a refuel. Valiant recommissioned into the
third Submarine Squadron in 1980. In 1982 she participated
in the Falklands Conflict. In 1989 Valiant emerged from a
third refit, this time at Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland.
Valiant remained in service longer than any of the early
nuclear boats and in her career traveled an impressive
576,754 nautical miles, spending 53,840 hours at sea.
However, in June 1994 Valiant developed engine problems
whilst returning from a trip to the USA and was paid off
August 12th 1994. Laid up at Devonport Valiant has been open
to the public a number of times at Navy Days and Dockyard
Fayres. Once her reactor core is removed she will be raised
out of the water and put on permanent public display.
