HMS Onslaught was a British Oberon-class attack submarine operated by the Royal Navy.

HMS Onslaught
History
United Kingdom
NameOnslaught
BuilderChatham Dockyard
Laid down8 April 1959
Launched24 September 1960
Commissioned14 August 1962
Decommissioned1990
IdentificationPennant number: S14
General characteristics as designed
Class and typeOberon-class submarine
Displacement
  • 1,610 tons standard
  • 2,030 tons full load surfaced
  • 2,410 tons full load submerged
Length
Beam26.5 feet (8.1 m)
Draught18 feet (5.5 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Admiralty Standard Range 16 VMS diesel generators
  • 2 × 3,000 shaft horsepower (2,200 kW) electric motors
  • 2 shafts
Speed
  • 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) submerged
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced
Complement68
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Type 186 and Type 187 sonars
  • I-band surface search radar
Armament
  • 8 × 21-inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes (6 forward, 2 aft)
  • 24 torpedoes

Design and construction

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The Oberon class was a direct follow on of the Porpoise-class, with the same dimensions and external design, but updates to equipment and internal fittings, and a higher grade of steel used for fabrication of the pressure hull.[1]

As designed for British service, the Oberon-class submarines were 241 feet (73 m) in length between perpendiculars and 295.2 feet (90.0 m) in length overall, with a beam of 26.5 feet (8.1 m), and a draught of 18 feet (5.5 m).[2] Displacement was 1,610 tons standard, 2,030 tons full load when surfaced, and 2,410 tons full load when submerged.[2] Propulsion machinery consisted of 2 Admiralty Standard Range 16 VMS diesel generators, and two 3,000 shaft horsepower (2,200 kW) electric motors, each driving a 7-foot-diameter (2.1 m), 3-bladed propeller at up to 400 rpm.[2] Top speed was 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) when submerged, and 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) on the surface.[2] Eight 21-inch (530 mm) diameter torpedo tubes were fitted (six facing forward, two aft), with a total payload of 24 torpedoes.[2] The boats were fitted with Type 186 and Type 187 sonars, and an I-band surface search radar.[2] The standard complement was 68: 6 officers, 62 sailors.[2]

Onslaught was laid down by Chatham Dockyard on 8 April 1959, and launched on 24 September 1960.[2] The boat was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 14 August 1962.[2]

Operational history

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Onslaught was first assigned to the 2nd Submarine Squadron, based in Devonport. She was reassigned to the Singapore-based 7th Squadron in 1966, and received a refit in Devonport from 1970 to 1972. She was then assigned to the 1st Squadron in 1972.[3] Her squadron assignemnt after 1983 is unknown.

Her patrols in the Mediterranean and Baltic from 1986 to 1988 are classified.[4]

Decommissioning and fate

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Onslaught was paid off in 1990, and broken up in Aliaga, Turkey in 1991.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Chant, Christopher (2005). Submarine Warfare Today: The World's Deadliest Underwater Weapons Systems. Wigston: Silverdale Books. p. [page needed]. ISBN 1-84509-158-2. OCLC 156749009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Moore, John, ed. (1977). Jane's Fighting Ships 1977-78. Jane's Fighting Ships (80th ed.). London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 490. ISBN 0531032779. OCLC 18207174.
  3. ^ "H.M. Submarine Onslaught Large Patrol Submarine". britsub.x10.mx. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Rear-Admiral David Cooke - obituary". Daily Telegraph. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  5. ^ "HM Submarine Onslaught (1960 - 1991)". kenthistoryforum.com. Retrieved 6 May 2024.

Publications

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