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**stutnerman** · 02-16-2009, 12:56 PM

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090216/...c-45dbed5.html

Nuclear Submarines 'Crash In Atlantic Ocean'

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A Royal Navy nuclear submarine collided with a French one in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, it has been reported. Skip related content
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Nuclear Submarines 'Crash In Atlantic Ocean'
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The crash between HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant - both carrying atomic weapons - is believed to have occurred on February 3 or 4, The Sun claimed.

Despite being equipped with sonar to detect other vessels, neither submarine apparently realised the other was in the same part of the ocean.

A senior Navy source told the newspaper the potential consequences of such a collision were "unthinkable".

He said: "It's very unlikely there would have been a nuclear explosion. But a radioactive leak was a possibility.

"Worse, we could have lost the crew and warheads. That would have been a national disaster."

About 250 sailors were believed to have been on the submarines.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) refused to confirm the incident had taken place, saying it was against its policy to comment on submarine operations.

However, a spokesman insisted nuclear security had not been breached.

He said: "We can confirm that the UK's deterrent capability has remained unaffected at all times and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety."

Inquiries are under way on both sides of the Channel.

The paper said HMS Vanguard and the Le Triomphant were both damaged in the incident and the British sub has now been towed to Faslane in Scotland for repair.

The Vanguard is one of four nuclear submarines operated by the British military as part of its Trident system - and one is always on deterrent patrol.

Each vessel is 150 metres long and 13 metres in diameter. They can carry boast 16 missiles, weighing 35 tons each, which carry six warheads with a range of about 5,000 miles.

02-16-2009, 12:56 PM	#4
stutnerman Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 492 Senior Member	http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090216/...c-45dbed5.html Nuclear Submarines 'Crash In Atlantic Ocean' 1 hour 2 mins ago SkyNews Sky News * Print Story A Royal Navy nuclear submarine collided with a French one in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, it has been reported. Skip related content Related photos / videos Nuclear Submarines 'Crash In Atlantic Ocean' Related content The crash between HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant - both carrying atomic weapons - is believed to have occurred on February 3 or 4, The Sun claimed. Despite being equipped with sonar to detect other vessels, neither submarine apparently realised the other was in the same part of the ocean. A senior Navy source told the newspaper the potential consequences of such a collision were "unthinkable". He said: "It's very unlikely there would have been a nuclear explosion. But a radioactive leak was a possibility. "Worse, we could have lost the crew and warheads. That would have been a national disaster." About 250 sailors were believed to have been on the submarines. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) refused to confirm the incident had taken place, saying it was against its policy to comment on submarine operations. However, a spokesman insisted nuclear security had not been breached. He said: "We can confirm that the UK's deterrent capability has remained unaffected at all times and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety." Inquiries are under way on both sides of the Channel. The paper said HMS Vanguard and the Le Triomphant were both damaged in the incident and the British sub has now been towed to Faslane in Scotland for repair. The Vanguard is one of four nuclear submarines operated by the British military as part of its Trident system - and one is always on deterrent patrol. Each vessel is 150 metres long and 13 metres in diameter. They can carry boast 16 missiles, weighing 35 tons each, which carry six warheads with a range of about 5,000 miles.
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