(UK) Flaws in nuclear submarine reactors could be fatal, secret report warns

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

The MoD's senior nuclear safety expert warns that the safety of submarine reactors compares "poorly" with that of nuclear power stations, and there could be dangerous leaks of radioactivity. There was also a risk of "multiple fatalities" from submarines failing to surface, he says.

Yet the reactors are being installed in a new £10bn fleet of Astute submarines. And they are still under consideration for the submarines due to replace those that carry Trident nuclear missiles from 2028.

The report, released under freedom of information law and passed to Channel 4 News, also reveals that arguments over the reactor designs have delayed decisions on replacing Trident by 18 months, and added more than £260m to the bill.

The report is a submission made to the Defence Board, a senior decision-making body within the MoD, in November 2009 about the status of plans to replace Trident submarines. It includes a damning assessment of the safety of current submarine reactors by the MoD's senior nuclear safety regulator, Commodore Andrew McFarlane.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/10/royal-navy-nuclear-submarine-reactor-flaws

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water ...

[JohnyCanuck]

1. UK politicians and defense contractors:

"Hey, it's not like we're gonna be sailing under the water in the damn sardine cans."

[Thor_MN]

2. England has nuclear missles from the future???

Damn, they are 17 years ahead of us in WMD capabilities!!!

[skoalyman]

4. Trident nuclear missiles from 2028

that's a wicked reactor they have on board, wouldn't mind hitching a ride to the future.

[intaglio]

3. Long past time the UK (and France) gave up these death traps n/t