British Attack Submarine Finally Takes To The Seas

Dec. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- HMS Astute took to the waters in mid-November, marking the start of its thorough 18 month operational test. The BAE Systems vessel was launched two years ago at its facility in Barrow-in-Furness by the Duchess of Cornwall, where more than 10,000 spectators turned out to watch the unveiling of the largest ever nuclear attack sub.

Armed with six torpedo tubes, several naval mines and a huge total of 38 Spearfish torpedoes, UGM-84 Harpoon and Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles, the £1.2billion craft also boasts an advanced sensor system that is reportedly capable of hearing a cruise liner leave New York Harbour from the English Channel. Rather than a conventional periscope, a thermal and infrared sensitive fibre optic tube is used to take a quick visual imprint of surroundings.

The Astute measures 93m from bow to stern, displaces over 7000 tonnes, and is capable of manning up to 109 crew members. The nuclear core is the size of an average car and its presence means that refuelling will never be required in its 35 year capacity. Additionally, it supposedly makes less noise than a small whale and its contingent of mini-submersible craft can covertly transport Special Force personnel behind enemy lines.

It can circumnavigate the globe without the need to surface and can attack targets at a range of 1,400 miles. To put these feats into perspective, the circumference of the Earth from equator is roughly 25,000 miles.

Quentin Davies, the Defence Equipment and Support Minister heralded a new era of dominance for the underwater battlespace: "The Astute class of submarines will deliver a step change in capability for defence in terms of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, protecting the (Trident nuclear) deterrent, and providing land attack and intelligence gathering.”

Rear Admiral Simon Lister added praise to the effort, having overseen the final stages of production. "Building a nuclear submarine is a huge challenge and demands the highest standards of design, engineering and manufacturing to ensure she can safely perform her demanding duties,” he said. “Astute represents the sum of thousands of individual efforts, and everyone involved in her creation can be proud."

The success of the project marks a significant milestone for Cumbria in its 100 years of manufacturing submarines, a history that includes the production of all British Vanguard-class vessels.

However, production has faced huge difficulties. The project finished at almost £900million over budget and almost four years behind schedule due to a period of outdated construction practices. Submarine-building skills had to be rediscovered after such a long period of inactivity.

If all test objectives are achieved, the sub is projected for commission next spring. At least three more Astute-class boats are planned to be built over the coming years, providing a much needed boost to the Navy’s profile in the wake of news that it must sell off one of its newly ordered aircraft carriers and lose one of four Trident nuclear subs to meet the combined demands of budget limitations and nuclear disarmament expectations.

Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, head of the Royal Navy, has recently stated that losing one of the Trident vessels before full replacements were made would result in an end to 41 years of continuous deterrent patrols as three boats cannot logistically support the schedule.

Discussion of the latest developments in the field, including mine sweeping and anti-submarine advancements are to take place at the 8th Annual Underwater Battlespace event at Le Meridien Piccadilly Hotel in London between January 26 and 28. For more information and booking forms, visit www.uwbevent.com, email enquire@defenceiq.com or call +44 (0) 207 368 9300.

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