Astute-class submarine

Astute-class SSN profile
HMS Ambush in 2012
Class overview
NameAstute class
BuildersBAE Systems Submarines, Barrow-in-Furness
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded byTrafalgar class
Succeeded bySSN-AUKUS (First design contract awarded)
CostOver £1.65 billion per boat (2015 est.)
Built2001–present
In commission2010–present
Planned7
Building1
Completed6
Active5
General characteristics
TypeNuclear-powered fleet submarine
Displacement
  • Surfaced: 7,000 to 7,400 t (6,900 to 7,300 long tons)[1][2]
  • Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,300 to 7,700 long tons)[1][2]
Length97 m (318 ft 3 in)[1][2]
Beam11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)[1][2]
Draught10 m (32 ft 10 in)[1][2]
Propulsion
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), submerged[1][2]
RangeUnlimited[3]
EnduranceUnlimited in terms of propulsion, air and water, but otherwise typically 90 days, based on the amount of food carried and endurance of the crew[3]
Test depthOver 300 m (980 ft)
Complement98 (capacity for 109)[1]
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament

The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines (SSNs) in service with the Royal Navy.[2] The boats are being constructed by BAE Systems Submarines at Barrow-in-Furness.[6] Seven boats will be constructed: the first of class, Astute, was launched by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2007,[7] commissioned in 2010, and declared fully operational in May 2014.[2] The Astute class is the replacement for the Trafalgar-class fleet submarines in Royal Navy service.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Bush, Steve (2014). British Warships and Auxiliaries. Maritime Books. pp. 10–11. ISBN 978-1904459552.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Astute-class attack submarines". royalnavy.mod.uk. Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b "BAE Systems - Astute class submarines". baesystems.com. BAE Systems. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  4. ^ "UK's most powerful submarine joins the Navy". Ministry of Defence. 27 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference 38weapons was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Naval Technology — SSN Astute Class project details". naval-technology.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  7. ^ "New UK nuclear submarine launched". BBC News. 8 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 June 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2007.