Posted on 06/21/2012 3:20:08 PM PDT by moonshot925
SIR – In his headlong rush to replace Trident, Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, seems to be overlooking the basic question of whether it remains viable for Britain to continue independently developing and maintaining its own nuclear submarines (report, June 18). He should take into account the chronic squeeze on British defence funding, the limited number of hulls it can afford, ever more stringent safety standards, and the long-term erosion of Britain's nuclear expertise.
By developing an independent design for the new submarine, the Government is opening itself up to allegations that the Trident replacement programme is just an excuse to stuff pound notes into the pockets of the British defence industry.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
HMS Dreadnought used a Westinghouse S5W reactor.
The British PWR1 reactor was based on a Westinghouse design.
good point. I trained on the S5W in Idaho. I was licensed on S3G design.
“Cost of designing new submarines is too high”
The cost of NOT designing new submarines is even higher.
Oh man!! I had one of those as a kid. Thanks for reawakening the memories!!
“We have always helped our British allies with their nuclear submarines.”
Our military cooperation is a large part of the Anglo/American ‘special relationship’.
This was my boat. USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657)
> and the long-term erosion of Britain’s nuclear expertise.
When people start trumpeting their knowledge of their own intellectual decline as a side issue, then they truly are in decline.
Sad.
Design old ones....they’re cheaper....
How about a “Merimack”?
Perhaps the author should consider how it compares to the cost of defeat.
You’re reading a lot into a letter sent to a newspaper by a member of the public about their personal opinion. Google the writer of the letter and you’ll see he likes writing letters to newspapers on a variety of topics. . . . . .
That is the coolest bl*ody thing I have ever seen.
Class of 8105 at A1W, Thanks for your service.
USS Bergall (SSN-667). And my son is now serving on the USS West Virgina.
I joined to avoid the draft back in the 70’s, thought a career in nuclear power would pay off, little did I know...
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