Letter to the Editor: Repulse DASO Polaris missile firing – Friday 13th February 1973

Letter to the Editor: Repulse DASO Polaris missile firing – Friday 13th February 1973

15 May 24
Posted by: John McGregor
7 minutes, 22 seconds read
Message from the Editor

In light of the recent HMS Vanguard ballistic missile test-firing, our correspondent reflects on a previous disappointing submarine-launched ballistic missile test.

Sir, – The recent failure of a test Trident missile launched from HMS Vanguard prompts me to recount a similar occurrence during HMS Repulse’s test firing in February 1973. Repulse sailed from Faslane for her DASO (Demonstration and Shakedown Operation) on Boxing Day 1973. I was Senior Engineer and we had completed a highly successful refit at Rosyth in 13 months, which remains the fastest refit including a reactor refuel of any nuclear submarine dockyard refit. After completing Sea Trials, and when both crews had passed their ‘workup’ inspections, we were ready for our DASO at Port Cana…

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