HMS Tireless (S88)

HMS Tireless was the third Trafalgar-class nuclear submarine of the Royal Navy. Tireless is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to bear this name. Launched in March 1984, Tireless was sponsored by Sue Squires, wife of Admiral 'Tubby' Squires, and commissioned in October 1985.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Tireless.

HMS Tireless (S88) at the North Pole, April 2004
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Tireless
Ordered5 July 1979
BuilderVickers Shipbuilding and Engineering, Barrow-in-Furness
Laid down6 June 1981
Launched17 March 1984
Sponsored bySue Squires
Commissioned5 October 1985
Decommissioned19 June 2014
HomeportHMNB Devonport, Plymouth
IdentificationPennant number: S88
StatusDecommissioned
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeTrafalgar-class submarine
Displacement
  • Surfaced: 4,500 to 4,800 t (4,700 long tons; 5,300 short tons)
  • Submerged: 5,200 to 5,300 t (5,200 long tons; 5,800 short tons)
Length85.4 m (280 ft)
Beam9.8 m (32 ft)
Draught9.5 m (31 ft)
Propulsion
  • 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR1 nuclear reactor, HEU 93.5%
  • 2 × GEC steam turbines
  • 2 × WH Allen turbo generators; 3.2 MW
  • 2 × Paxman diesel generators 2,800 shp (2.1 MW)
  • 1 × pump jet propulsor
  • 1 × motor for emergency drive
  • 1 × auxiliary retractable prop
SpeedOver 30 knots (56 km/h), submerged
RangeUnlimited
Complement130
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • 2 × SSE Mk8 launchers for Type 2066 and Type 2071 torpedo decoys
  • RESM Racal UAP passive intercept
  • CESM Outfit CXA
  • SAWCS decoys carried from 2002
Armament
  • 5 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 30 weapons:
    • Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles
    • Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes

During the Cold War Tireless was primarily involved in anti-submarine warfare patrols in the Atlantic Ocean. After the Cold War, Tireless was deployed around the world, including to the Arctic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean. At the end of its career, Tireless was involved in the search for the missing airliner, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. The vessel experienced a number of serious accidents during its operational life.

Tireless had been scheduled for retirement during 2013, but its service was extended until eventual decommissioning on 19 June 2014. Tireless was replaced on active duty by HMS Artful.

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