The USS New Hampshire, a Virginia class nuclear submarine, has left the Clyde after a routine port call.

The Virginia class is a class of nuclear-powered cruise missile carrying fast-attack submarines.

The submarine was berthed at HMNB Clyde. The base is sited at Faslane in the west of Scotland not far from Glasgow, one of Britain’s largest cities.

The US Navy say that the port visits “strengthen cooperation between the United States and United Kingdom”, and “demonstrate US capability, flexibility, and continuing commitment to NATO allies.”

It’s one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy, the others being HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth. It is best known as the home of Britain’s nuclear weapons, in the form of nuclear submarines armed with Trident missiles.

This position provides for rapid and stealthy access through the North Channel to the submarine patrolling areas in the North Atlantic.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

16 COMMENTS

  1. Can’t help wondering if the storming of the Capitol is the end of violent protest, if not, is there a period of political instability facing the USA? If so, we in the rest of the World will need to be on high alert for opportunism from a number of threats. With mother America’s focused on domestic troubles, the rest of us will have to step up to the plate and some countries, might wake up to realise the true value of US military protection?

    • Probably none.

      It is cruise missile equipped.

      The nuclear version of cruise was withdrawn some time ago.

      But it does have a nuclear reactor…..

      Hard to compare to Astute as Astute is a hunter killer whereas this is a boomer that has gone conventional armed. Probably gets quite noisy in a sprint given that it is an old hull form and innards.

      • Sorry to disagree SB because I normally agree with most things you say but I don’t think USS New Hampshire was ever a boomer. She is a Virginia class boat. Some former SSBN US Navy subs such as the USS Florida which is an Ohio Class boat have been converted to a cruise missile submarines.

  2. The Virginia class is a class of cruise missiles carrying fast attack submarines. (?) Now that is technological innovation.

  3. I love this post….. as you claim to have worked on a type 14 ASW Blackwood? And there, once again for all to see, is the sum of your ASW knowledge. You are contiously struggling aren’t you.

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