Editing Upholder/Victoria-class submarine (section)

==Design and development==
[[File:HMCS VICTORIA.jpg|thumb|A cross-section of an ''Upholder''-class submarine]]
In the late 1970s the United Kingdom [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) proposed a diesel-electric submarine design to replace the ''Oberon'' class. The new submarine class was intended to provide a more cost-effective alternative for training and in coastal defence.<ref name=perkins155>Perkins, p. 155</ref> The announcement for the new design took place in September 1979.<ref name=gardiner532>Gardiner and Chumbley, p. 532</ref> Five designs were put forward, with the MoD selecting the 1,960-ton design. However, the need for export potential upped the [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] limit to 2,400 tons to allow for flexibility in construction if the need for alternative machinery and systems arose.<ref name=perkins155/>

The [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering|Vickers Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd.]] (VSEL) Type 2400 diesel-electric patrol submarine design was selected. The design displaces between 2,168 and 2,220 tons surfaced and 2,400–2,455 tons submerged.<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=cocker123>Cocker, p. 123</ref><ref name=saunders88>Saunders, p. 88</ref> The submarines are {{convert|230|ft|7|in|m}} [[Length overall|long overall]] with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|25|ft|m}} and a [[Draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|17|ft|8|in}}.<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=saunders88/><ref group=note>Cocker has the vessels at {{convert|230|ft|m|abbr=on}} long with a beam {{convert|25|ft|m}} and a draught of {{convert|27+1/2|ft|m}}.</ref> The submarines had a complement between 44 and 47 with the Royal Navy.<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=cocker123/>

The submarines have a single-skinned, teardrop-shaped hull constructed from NQ1 high tensile steel. The hull is fitted with [[elastomer]]ic acoustic tiles to reduce the submarine's [[acoustic signature]]. The class has a reported dive depth of over {{convert|650|ft|m}}.<ref name=saunders88/>

===Machinery===
The submarines are powered by a single-shaft diesel-electric system. They are equipped with two [[Paxman Valenta]] 1600 RPS SZ [[diesel engine]]s, each driving a {{convert|1.4|MW|lk=on|adj=on}} GEC electric [[alternator]]. There are two 120-cell [[Chloride batteries]].<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=perkins196>Perkins, p. 196</ref> The batteries have a 90-hour endurance at {{convert|3|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name=perkins196/> The submarine is propelled by a {{convert|4.028|MW|adj=on}} GEC dual [[Armature (electrical engineering)|armature]] electric motor turning a seven-blade fixed pitch propeller.<ref name=perkins196/> This gives the vessels a maximum speed of {{convert|12|kn}} on the surface and {{convert|20|kn}} submerged. They have a diesel fuel capacity of 200 tons, giving a range of {{convert|8000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|8|kn}} and {{convert|10000|nmi}} at [[Submarine snorkel|snorting]] depth.<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=cocker123/>

===Armament===
The class is equipped with six {{convert|21|in|mm|adj=on|0}} [[torpedo tube]]s in the [[Bow (ship)|bow]].<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=cocker123/> In British service, the submarines were supplied with up to 18 Marconi [[Tigerfish (torpedo)|Mk 24 Tigerfish]] Mod 2 torpedoes; they were also capable of using [[Harpoon (missile)|UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon]] missiles.<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=cocker123/> They could also be adapted for use as a [[minelayer]].<ref name=cocker123/> The DCC Action Information Organisation and Fire Control System (AIS/FC), developed from the DCA/DCB systems in service at that time aboard Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines, was based on two [[Ferranti#Computers|Ferranti FM1600E computers]] with a digital data bus linked to three dual-purpose consoles. Up to 35 targets could be tracked, and automatic guidance could be provided for four torpedoes against four separate targets.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

During the refit for Canadian service, the Sub-Harpoon and [[naval mine|mine]] capabilities were removed and the submarines were equipped with the Lockheed Martin Librascope Submarine [[fire-control system]] (SFCS) to meet the operational requirements of the Canadian Navy. Components from the fire control system of the ''Oberon''-class submarines were installed.<ref>Perkins, p. 166</ref> This gave the submarines the ability to fire the Gould [[Mark 48 torpedo|Mk 48 Mod 4 torpedo]].<ref name=saunders88/> This torpedo, operating at {{convert|40|kn|km/h}}, is deployed against targets over a range of {{convert|50|km}}. The torpedo range is {{convert|38|km}} at speeds up to {{convert|55|kn|km/h}}. The type uses active and passive homing to approach the designated target. In 2014, the Government of Canada purchased 12 upgrade kits that will allow the submarines to fire the Mk 48 Mod 7AT torpedo.<ref name=dw>{{cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-government-to-spend-41-million-for-torpedo-upgrade-kits-for-submarines |title=Canadian government to spend $41 million for torpedo upgrade kits for submarines |last=Pugliese |first=David |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=26 September 2014 |access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

===Sensors and countermeasures===
As built, the ''Upholder'' class was equipped with the Kelvin Hughes Type 1007 I-band radar for navigational purposes. The submarines were fitted with the Type 2040 Thompson Sintra ARGONAUTE hull mounted sonar, installed in the bow and Type 2026 GEC Avionics passive towed array. The submarines had the Type 2019 Thompson Sintra PARIS passive sonar for active and intercept purposes. They also had the Type 2041 passive ranging sonar and the Type 2004 expendable bathythermograph. The class was fitted with Type 2008 underwater telephone.<ref name=perkins196/> The Type 2040 sonar was intended to be upgraded to Type 2075; however, that upgrade was cancelled in 1991.<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=saunders88/>

These systems were later upgraded with the installation of the BAE Type 2007 array and the Type 2046 towed array.<ref name=gardiner532/><ref name=saunders88/> The Canadian Towed Array Sonar (CANTASS) has been integrated into the towed sonar suite.<ref name=saunders88/>

The ''Upholder''-class submarines were equipped with the CK035 electro-optical search periscope and the CH085 optronic attack periscope, originally supplied by Pilkington Optronics.<ref name=saunders88/><ref name=perkins196/> After the Canadian refit, the submarines were equipped with Canadian communication equipment and [[Electronic warfare support measures|electronic support measures]] (ESM). This included two SSE decoy launchers and the AR 900 ESM.<ref name=saunders88/>