The submarines of the class have seen service in a wide range of locations , most notably firing Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles in anger at targets during conflicts in Afghanistan , Iraq and Libya . Three of the '' Trafalgar '' - class boats have been involved in such operations . In 2001 '' Trafalgar '' took part in Operation Veritas , the attack on Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces following the September 11 attacks in the United States , becoming the first Royal Navy submarine to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles against Afghanistan . During April 2003 , HMS '' Turbulent '' returned home flying the Jolly Roger after having launched thirty Tomahawk cruise missiles during the invasion of Iraq . As part of the 2011 military intervention in Libya , HMS '' Triumph '' fired her Tomahawk cruise missiles in anger on three occasions ; first on 19 March , then again on 20 March , and finally on 24 March . Her primary targets were Libyan air-defence installations around the city of Sabha . '' Triumph '' returned to Devonport on the 3 April 2011 flying a Jolly Roger adorned with six small Tomahawk axes to indicate the missiles fired by the submarine in the operation
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Trafalgar-class submarine