Astute-class submarine
Astute-class SSN profile | |
HMS ‘’Ambush’’ in 2012 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Astute class |
| Builders | BAE Systems Submarines, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Operators | Royal Navy |
| Preceded by | Trafalgar class |
| Succeeded by | SSN-AUKUS (First design contract awarded) |
| Cost | Over £1.65 billion per boat (2015 est.) |
| Built | 2001–present |
| In commission | 2010–present |
| Planned | 7 |
| Building | 1 |
| Completed | 6 |
| Active | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Nuclear-powered attack submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 97 m (318 ft 3 in) |
| Beam | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), submerged |
| Range | Unlimited |
| Endurance | Unlimited in terms of propulsion, air and water, but otherwise typically 90 days, based on the amount of food carried and endurance of the crew |
| Test depth | Over 300 m (980 ft) |
| Complement | 98 (capacity for 109) |
| Sensors & processing systems |
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| Armament |
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The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear-powered attack submarines in service with the Royal Navy. The boats are constructed by BAE Systems Submarines at Barrow-in-Furness. Seven boats will be constructed: the first of class, Astute, was launched by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2007, commissioned in 2010, and declared fully operational in May 2014. The Astute class is the replacement for the Trafalgar-class fleet submarines in Royal Navy service.