BARROW-IN-FURNESS, UK: The largest, most powerful and stealthiest nuclear attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy is preparing to leave the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials.
BAE Systems is responsible for the design, build and initial in-service support for the Astute submarine class currently under construction at the company’s shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. The first of class HMS Astute is undergoing final test and commissioning work before leaving for extensive sea trials prior to entering service with the Royal Navy.
A further three Astute class vessels, Ambush, Artful and Audacious are currently under construction with long lead orders placed for equipment for a fifth submarine. The keel for Audacious was laid at the shipyard earlier this year.
Design and construction of the Astute class involves over 7,000 design drawings and more than 1 million components.
The construction method for a nuclear submarine means that the first of class presents the challenges of both a prototype and a first production model, with many of the design elements proved and refined during the construction cycle, takes from concept design to a finished nuclear powered submarine.
Powered by a nuclear reactor more complex than those found in power stations, Astute is designed to operate over 25 years without refuelling, patrolling for up to 90 days submerged and undetected.
Safety is a primary consideration as the boat’s 98 crew live and work in close proximity to the reactor while operating in the harshest environment on the planet, the deep ocean.
Astute is capable of undertaking a variety of mission roles including anti-ship and anti submarine action, intelligence gathering and support for land forces. She is armed with heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles capable of delivering pinpoint strikes up to 1000 kilometres from the coast. Astute is also equipped with the latest stealth technology to avoid detection and the advanced Sonar 2076 system to locate and identify other vessels.
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
