Editing Vanguard-class submarine (section)

===Weapons and systems===
[[File:Trident II missile image.jpg|thumb|Test launch of a [[Trident missile|Trident II]] missile by a ''Vanguard''-class submarine]]
The ''Vanguard''-class submarines are equipped with 16 ballistic missile tubes. However, as of the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010|2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review]], the Royal Navy loads only eight of the missile tubes with the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each armed with up to eight nuclear warheads. In addition to the missile tubes, the submarines are fitted with four 21&nbsp;inch (533&nbsp;mm) [[torpedo tube]]s and carry the [[Spearfish torpedo|Spearfish heavyweight torpedo]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2420| author=Royal Naval Website| title=Vanguard Class Ballistic Subs (SSBN)| access-date=18 June 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623085113/http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2420| archive-date=23 June 2007| url-status=dead}}</ref> allowing them to engage submerged or surface targets at ranges up to {{convert|65|km|mi nmi}}. Two SSE Mark 10 launchers are also fitted, allowing the boats to deploy Type 2066 and Type 2071 decoys, and a UAP Mark 3 [[electronic support measures]] (ESM) intercept system is carried.

The submarines carry the [[Thales Underwater Systems]] Type 2054 composite [[sonar]]. The Type 2054 is a multi-mode, multi-frequency system, which incorporates the 2046, 2043 and 2082 sonars. The Type 2043 is a hull-mounted active/passive search sonar, the Type 2082 a passive intercept and ranging sonar, and the Type 2046 a [[towed array sonar]] operating at very low frequency providing a passive search capability. The fleet is in the process of having the sonars refitted to include open-architecture processing using [[commercial off-the-shelf]] technology. Navigational search capability is provided by a Type 1007 I-band [[navigation radar]].<ref name="Janes"/> They will also be fitted with the new Common Combat System.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navys-newest-sub-test-fires-torpedo-using-50-million-uk-made-advanced-combat-system|title=Royal Navy's newest sub test fires torpedo using £50 million UK-made advanced Combat System – News stories – GOV.UK|work=gov.uk|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> Two [[periscope]]s are carried, a CK51 search model and a CH91 attack model. Both have TV and [[thermal imaging camera]]s in addition to conventional optics.

A specialised [[Submarine Command System]] (SMCS) was originally developed for the ''Vanguard'' boats and was later used on the {{sclass|Trafalgar|submarine|4}}.<ref>See "The Royal Navy Handbook" 2003, Conway Maritime Press, {{ISBN|0-85177-952-2}}</ref>