| Trafalgar Class Submarine |
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The ''Trafalgar'' class submarines are, until the introduction of the ''Astute'' Class , the Royal Navy's most advanced nuclear fleet submarines (SSNs). The ''Trafalgar'' class includes seven boats: ''Trafalgar'' (S107) , ''Turbulent'' (S87) , ''Tireless'' (S88) , ''Torbay'' (S90) , ''Trenchant'' (S91) , ''Talent'' (S92) , and ''Triumph'' (S93) . It is an attack submarine and is essentially a refinement of the Swiftsure class, designed six years later than its predecessor. The first ''Trafalgar'' class submarine was ordered on April 7th 1977 and completed in 1983 . Turbulent was ordered on July 28th 1978 , Tireless on July 5th 1979 , Torbay on June 26th 1981 , Trenchant on March 22nd 1983 , Talent on September 10th 1984 finally Triumph on July 3rd 1986 . The major improvements include a new reactor core and the Type 2020 Sonar . Internal layout is almost identical to the ''Swiftsure'', and it is only 2½ metres longer. Rather than the seven/nine-bladed Propeller used by the ''Swiftsures,'' ''Trafalgar'' class submarines use Pump-jet propulsion - a high-pitch, low-revolution propeller which is much quieter but much heavier than conventional propeller designs. Development of this system was not complete in time for installation in the class's name-ship vessel, HMS ''Trafalgar,'' and so the pump-jet was first used in the second in the class, HMS ''Turbulent.'' The hull is also covered in anechoic tiles which are designed to absorb sound rather than reflect it, making the boats more difficult to detect with active sonar. The Trafalgar class have strengthened fin and retractable hydroplanes, allowing them to surface through thick ice. In 1993 Triumph sailed to Australia, covering a distance of 41,000 miles whilst submerged and without any forward support. This marked the longest solo deployment by any nuclear submarine. The Trafalgar class was to be replaced by the Future Attack Submarine (FASM), however this project was effectively cancelled in 2001 and replaced by the Maritime Underwater Future Capability . It seems likely that the Astute class will replace the Trafalgar class as well as the Swiftsure class. SERVICE PROBLEMS Despite being regarded as sophisticated designs, the Trafalgar class have suffered from a number of technical difficulties. In 1998 Trenchant experienced a steam leak, forcing the crew to shut down the nuclear reactor. In 2000 cracks were discovered in the reactor cooling pipes of Tireless, forcing her to proceed to Gibraltar on diesel power. In August 2000 it was revealed that with Tireless still at Gibraltar, Torbay, Turbulent, Trenchant and Talent at Devonport for refit or repair and Trafalgar undergoing sea trials, only one boat - Triumph - was fully operational. By 2005 refits had reportedly corrected these problems. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
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