HMS Vigilant (S30)

HMS "Vigilant" (S30) is the third "Vanguard" class submarine of the Royal Navy. "Vigilant" carries the Trident ballistic missile, the UK's nuclear deterrent.

"Vigilant" was built at Barrow-in-Furness by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (now BAE Systems Submarine Solutions), was launched in October 1995, and commissioned in November 1996.

In 2002, protestors from Trident Ploughshares breached security at Faslane Naval Base where the Vanguard submarines are based. Two protestors managed to spraypaint "Vigilant" with the CND symbol and the word "Vile".

Peter Hennessy reporting for the Today programme on BBC radio 4, reported from the Vigilant on 28th December 2007. The Vigilant was one of four submarines that is the last line of defence for the United Kingdom. He also reported that there is a grey safe in the control room that has an inner safe that only the Commanding officer (Commander Pole) and Executive officer can open. In that safe is a letter from the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the letter contains guidance and orders if the United Kingdom is attacked by nuclear weapons.

General characteristics
* Displacement: 16,000 tons submerged
* Propulsion: Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactor, two GEC turbines, single shaft, pump jet propulsor
* Electrical Power: two Paxman diesel generators, two WH Allen turbogenerators
* Speed: 25 knots (46 km/h) submerged
* Complement: 14 officers, 121 men
* Strategic Armament: 16 Lockheed Trident II D5 ballistic missiles
* Defensive Armament: four 533 mm (21-inch) torpedo tubes, Spearfish torpedoes

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_on_board_hms_trident_/html/2.stm"In pictures: On board HMS Trident"] , (BBC pictures of "HMS Vaigilant's" interior)