HMS Astute (S119)
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| 300px Astute on the shiplift after launch | |
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Class and type: | Astute-class submarine |
| Name: | HMS Astute |
| Ordered: | March 1997 |
| Builder: |
BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Laid down: | January 2001 |
| Launched: | 8 June 2007 |
| Commissioned: | Spring 2010 (planned)[1] |
| Status: | On trials |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 7,800 tonnes submerged |
| Length: | 97 m (323 ft) |
| Beam: | 11.3 m (37 ft) |
| Draught: | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactor (with full submarine life core), MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators |
| Speed: | 29 knots (54 km/h) submerged |
| Range: | Circumnavigation 40 times without refuelling |
| Complement: | 98 officers and enlisted, capacity of 109 (All Male) |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Thales Underwater Systems Sonar 2076, Atlas Hydrographic DESO 25 depth-finding echosounder, Two Thales Optronics CM010 periscopes, Raytheon Systems Limited Successor IFF system |
| Armament: |
6 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes.
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HMS Astute (S119) is the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered Fleet submarines. Astute was ordered from GEC's Marconi Marine (now BAE Systems Submarine Solutions) on 17 March 1997. She was laid down on 31 January 2001, 100 years to the day since the keel was laid down for Holland 1, the first Royal Navy submarine. The vessel was built at BAE's submarine facility in Barrow-in-Furness and was launched on 8 June 2007 by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.
Astute is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to be named for the characteristic of shrewdness and discernment. The first was HMS Astute (P447), an Amphion-class submarine launched during World War II. When commissioned, Astute will be one of the most 'advanced submarines in the world'.[2]
Technology
The 7,400-tonne Astute’s nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25 year service. Since the submarine can purify water and air, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The main limit is that the submarine will only be able to carry three months' supply of food for 98 officers and ratings. Astute will carry Tomahawk cruise missiles.[3]
Ship's Launch
HMS Astute was launched at BAE's submarine facility in Barrow-in-Furness on 8 June 2007 by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall[4]. The launch attracted more than 10,000 spectators[5]. She is the first submarine built in the UK since HMS Vengeance, which was launched in 1998.
Astute left Barrow on 15 November 2009[6].
On 20 November 2009, Astute arrived at her home port at Faslane.[7]
On 16 February 2010 Astute left Faslane for sea trials and dived for the first time on 18 February.[8]
Astute is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Navy at the end of 2010.
Project management
The launching of Astute was 43 months behind schedule, and the Astute class were £900 million over budget. This was due in part to outdated construction practices. Many of these were corrected when Murray Easton became construction boss.[3] Among the changes to accelerate the project, psychologists were consulted to improve communication and management effectiveness. Murray also reduced manpower requirements by using US construction methods, specifically those of the Electric Boat company. For example, submarine sections were built vertically so that gravity could assist assembly.[3]
References
- ↑ Janes Astute to embark on sea trials
- ↑ "Exclusive: Royal Navy's most advanced submarine HMS Astute set for home on the River Clyde". Daily Record. 13 November 2009. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/editors-choice/2009/11/13/exclusive-royal-navy-s-most-advanced-submarine-hms-astute-set-for-home-on-the-river-clyde-86908-21818475/. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Alien submarine breaks technical barriers BBC News. (7 May 2007).
- ↑ "This week". The Daily Telegraph. 4 June 2007. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/03/nweek103.xml. Retrieved 4 June 2007.
- ↑ "News Releases - BAE Systems". BAE Systems. 8 June 2007. http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_1075813118.html. Retrieved 24 July 2007.
- ↑ "Astute leaves Barrow". North West Evening Mail. 16 November 2009. http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/astute_leaves_barrow_1_636740?referrerPath=news/1.265773. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
- ↑ "Astute Submarine Arrives at Faslane on the Clyde". BBC News. 20 November 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8369269.stm. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
- ↑ "Astute's First Dive". Royal Navy. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/submarine-service/future-submarines/astute/news/astutes-first-dive. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
External links
- Royal Navy - Astute
- Naval-technology.com on the Astute class
- Astute Class Submarine - Armedforces.co.uk
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