The Stickleback-class submarines were
midget submarines of the British
Royal Navy initially ordered as improved versions of the older
XE-class submarines. They were designed to allow British defences to practice defending against midget submarines since it was theorised that the
Soviet Union had or could develop such craft.[1]
The Royal Navy developed plans to use these craft to carry a 15-kiloton nuclear
naval mine (based on the
Red Beard weapon) codenamed Cudgel into Soviet harbours.[1] The project was unsuccessful as there were problems finding and paying for the necessary fissile material.[2]
X53 Sprat, launched 30 December 1954, loaned to US Navy 1958, scrapped 1966
X54 Minnow, launched 5 May 1955, scrapped 1966
Citations
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abPaloczi-Horvath, George (1996). From Monitor to Missile Boat Coast Defence Ships and Coastal Defence since 1860. Conway Maritime Press. p. 120.
ISBN0-85177-650-7.