Right now, there\u2019s at least one nuclear-power, nuclear-armed submarine stealthily patrolling the waters off the UK. The sub is powered by a nuclear reactor, so it can cruise undetected for over 20 years without refuelling. Oh, and it\u2019s also armed with eight nuclear warheads \u2014 each six times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since 1969, the Royal Navy has kept at least one of these fission-powered submarines in the water at all times. The vessels are the backbone of Britain\u2019s nuclear deterrent and send a giant warning to other nations who might get funny ideas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rolls-Royce today announced that it has secured a whopping <\/span>\u00a39bn contract to maintain and upgrade the Navy\u2019s submarine nuclear reactors. Under the deal, the British engineering firm will also build reactors for the UK\u2019s new class of nuclear-powered subs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Royal Navy\u2019s submarine fleet is split between Astute-class attack submarines (SSNs) and Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). The Astute-class are nuclear-powered but conventionally armed. Six of seven planned vessels are already operational. The Navy eventually plans to replace the Astutes with SSN-AUKUS submarines, the result of a collaboration with the US and Australia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Vanguard class, which first entered service in 1994, forms the backbone of the UK\u2019s nuclear deterrent, carrying Trident II D5 nuclear missiles. The Navy plans to replace the Vanguards with the Dreadnought-class SSBNs in the early 2030s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Under the so-called Unity contract, Rolls-Royce will design, manufacture, and support the new subs\u2019 pressurised water reactors (PWRs). These machines use uranium to generate heat, turning water into steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity. The steam then cools, and the process repeats.<\/span><\/p>\n The Unity deal is<\/span> the largest Ministry of Defence deal Rolls-Royce has landed in its 121-year history. <\/span>Predictably, the UK government is celebrating the new contract as a win for national security and job creation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNational security is a foundation of our government\u2019s plan for change, and this is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the UK\u2019s nuclear deterrent, which is our ultimate insurance policy in a more dangerous world,\u201d <\/span>said the defence secretary, John Healey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The contract is expected to<\/span> create more than 1,000 UK jobs and safeguard 4,000 other roles. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image?fit=796%2C417&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn0.tnwcdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F1%2Ffiles%2F2025%2F01%2FUntitled-design-10.jpg&signature=f46602259c67b66d45c7d1674cc91f67\")
<\/p>\n