Astute-class

Summary

Description

The Astute class is a series of nuclear-powered fleet submarines currently in service with the Royal Navy. They are built by BAE Systems Submarines at Barrow-in-Furness and are set to include seven boats. The first boat, Astute, was launched in 2007 by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and became fully operational by May 2014 as a replacement for the Trafalgar-class submarines.

The Astute-class program's origins stem from a 1986 initiative by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which wanted a new submarine with enhanced capabilities to counter advanced Soviet submarines during the Cold War. This project, named SSN20, was expected to be revolutionary in design but was canceled due to the end of the Cold War, leading to a new focus on cost control. The subsequent design phase focused on evolving the Trafalgar class into what was known as the Batch 2 Trafalgar class (B2TC). After tender processes involving competition between various design and construction teams, GEC-Marconi (later part of BAE Systems) secured the contract.

The innovative design used 3D CAD software and modular construction techniques. Nonetheless, the construction phase encountered challenges including a reduced workforce, loss of key skills, and issues with the new design technology. The first boat, Astute, experienced significant delays and overruns in cost, leading to contract renegotiations and the involvement of General Dynamics Electric Boat to assist in resolving design problems.

The new Astute class has a sophisticated armament capacity, ready to carry a mix of Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles, which will be upgraded to Block V standard from 2024. Their Combat Management System is a newer version of the British Royal Navy's Submarine Command System. The boats also have sophisticated Sonar 2076 and non-hull-penetrating optronic masts with thermal and low-light TV sensors.

Powered by a Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactor that doesn't require refueling for 25 years, the submarines are larger than their predecessors. They are also coated with over 39,000 acoustic tiles for improved stealth. The class encountered criticism over the PWR2 reactor safety, leading to modified operational procedures. Each submarine offers a bunk for each crew member but has received feedback for inadequate living space standards.

Although designed to hit top speeds of up to 30 knots, there were initial issues achieving this during trials due to a mismatch between the reactor and the turbine. However, the speed requirement was eventually demonstrated successfully. The class has also suffered a few incidents, including the grounding of Astute off the Isle of Skye and a collision involving Ambush.

The class will be the only boats operated by the Royal Navy, given that from 2027, one submarine will operate from HMAS Stirling in Western Australia as part of the AUKUS defence group. Looking to the future, a £170 million investment has been put toward the design of the Astute-class successor with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce being awarded contracts. The new submarine will be a joint project among the UK, the US, and Australia and will begin replacing the Astute-class in the late 2030s.

The names of the Astute-class submarines are historically significant, echoing the names of previous Royal Navy vessels that served during World Wars I and II. The boats in the class include Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious, Anson, Agamemnon, and Agincourt.

Technical specifications

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