09.09.2009
The first British nuclear submarine Astute built under cognominal project will leave BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials in the nearest future. As the manufacturer's press-service says, the Astute-project submarines will be the most powerful, large-size and low-observable in British undersea fleet.
As the source specifies, the pilot
Astute-project nuclear submarine is presently passing final stage before sea trials and further introduction in Royal Navy. The construction of three more submarines named
Ambush,
Artful and
Audacious has already started. The latter's keel was laid down in 2009, and new equipment was ordered for construction of fifth submarine, as
BAE Systems press-service said.
We recall that British military plans to put 7-8
Astute-type submarines into service. As the developer said, they may be used for different tasks: combating surface ships and submarines, reconnaissance, land forces support etc. The subs will be armed with
Spearfish torpedos and
Tomahawk cruise missiles capable to defeat ground targets on the range up to 1 000 km off the coast.
The displacement of
Astute-type submarines is 7 800 t, length is 97 m, speed is up to 29 knots (54 kph), submergence depth is up to 300 m, crew is 98 men; those subs are to change
Trafalgar-type ones.
Source:
