Victoria-class (Upholder)

Summary

Description

The Submarine Upholder class is a class of diesel-electric submarines that were originally built for the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. The Upholder class submarines were designed to replace the aging Oberon class submarines and were built by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. The class consisted of four submarines: HMS Upholder (S40), HMS Unseen (S41), HMS Ursula (S42), and HMS Unicorn (S43).

These submarines had a length of approximately 70 meters and a submerged displacement of around 2,590 tons. They were powered by four diesel generators that supplied electricity to the propulsion motors, giving them a maximum speed of 12 knots on the surface and 20 knots while submerged. The Upholder class submarines were equipped with six 21-inch torpedo tubes, capable of launching various torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

In terms of sensor and communication systems, the Upholder class submarines were equipped with a comprehensive suite of sensors, including sonar, radar, and periscopes. They also had advanced communications capabilities, allowing them to communicate effectively with other naval assets and command centers.

The Upholder class submarines were designed with a high degree of stealth and had the capacity to perform various types of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and surveillance. They were highly maneuverable and had impressive battery endurance, allowing them to operate silently for extended periods under water.

Unfortunately, the Upholder class submarines had a troubled service history. Despite being technologically advanced, they faced several operational and reliability issues, which led to their early retirement from the Royal Navy. However, the Upholder class submarines were eventually sold to the Royal Canadian Navy, where they were extensively modified and re-commissioned as the Victoria class submarines.

Technical specifications

Photo of Victoria class

Silhouette