vanguard class
Guardian of our nuclear deterrent. Armed with Trident 2 D5 missiles and cutting-edge steam technology they ensure our ultimate defense.
Vanguard Class submarine
![HMS Victorious departs HMNB Clyde under the Scottish summer sunshine](https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/rnweb/equipment/submarines/vanguard-class/royal-navy-equipment-vanguard-00-hotspot.jpg?h=1350&iar=0&w=3000&rev=90e897924464450cbb8d1c5f53ded8d4&hash=E594B5D025B219F82B741F09F16723D8)
15,900 tonnes
149.9 metres
25 knots
Unlimited
![HMS Victorious powers out to sea](https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/rnweb/equipment/submarines/vanguard-class/royal-navy-equipment-vanguard-02-powerful-quartet.jpg?h=667&iar=0&w=1000&rev=8a229d43d0ad4cc49e065b2b0d0add62&hash=A6700FC97E02D1865C4DF5A61F878EBC)
A powerful quartet
The Royal Navy’s Vanguard Class consists of four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines – HMS Vanguard, Vengeance, Victorious and Vigilant. Like the Astute Class of submarines, nuclear power is provided by a Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor that converts water into steam to drive the engines and generate electricity.
![Vanguard Class submarine on the surface in front of Scottish countryside](https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/rnweb/equipment/submarines/vanguard-class/royal-navy-equipment-vanguard-03-giant-of-the-deep.jpg?h=667&iar=0&w=1000&rev=df3e8761f3e84d95a392a3ebbdbe5608&hash=5EB2C57BBEF3DB29F605848E058D23D7)
The giant of the deep
The Vanguard Class submarines are the largest manufactured in the UK, displacing 15,900 tonnes when submerged - twice the displacement of the Resolution Class Polaris submarines that they replaced. They are the third largest vessels currently in service with the Royal Navy.
About the crew
Unmatched firepower & technology
![Trident missile emerges out of a cloud of smoke](https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/rnweb/equipment/submarines/vanguard-class/royal-navy-equipment-vanguard-05-nuclear.jpg?h=1000&iar=0&w=1000&rev=5af4c188dfc945f3862d67e0523af8d1&hash=9BE4B3E0473086CEF1480F2BE308252A)
The ultimate deterrent
Each Vanguard Class submarine is armed with Trident 2 D5 missiles.
The Trident submarine launched ballistic missile carries Britain’s nuclear deterrent; the ultimate guarantee of our security and that of our allies. These missiles can be fired at targets up to 4,000 miles away, ejected from the sub’s ballistic missile tubes by high-pressure gas before igniting when they reach the surface of the water.
![Vanguard Class submarine moves off with smoke venting from both sides of it's hull](https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/rnweb/equipment/submarines/vanguard-class/royal-navy-equipment-vanguard-06-all-seeing.jpg?h=1000&iar=0&w=1000&rev=46c1ef0f04e54c0bbdfe33908fcd007c&hash=8C43AADD09F04D80D9A298E20A7FC885)
Periscopic perfection
Vanguard Class subs can scope out their surrounds using the latest technology
Vanguard Class submarines are fitted with two periscopes - the CK51 search periscope and the CH91 attack periscope - which are combined into an optronic mast on the submarine’s fin.
Optronic masts are electronic imaging systems (comprising of a TV camera and thermal imager) that do not penetrate a submarine’s hull. Images from these masts are sent via fibre-optics to two workstations and a commander’s control console.
Units and squadrons
Join the Submarine Service
Life under the ocean isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’ll be pushed to your limits, but you’ll be rewarded for it too.