Nuclear hunter-killer, HMS ASTUTE, takes to the seas

[happyslapper]

New Hunter Killer Nuclear Submarine Takes To The Seas



Astute The Royal Navy's newest state of the art Submarine leaves barrow-in-Furness on her maiden voyage to start sea trials.



The biggest and most powerful attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy – Astute – took to the seas this weekend.

Astute set sail from Barrow-in-Furness to start her first set of sea trials and is now heading to her homeport of Faslane on the Clyde in Scotland.



Measuring nearly one hundred metres from bow to stern, Astute is longer than ten London buses. When fully stored, she will displace 7,800 tonnes of sea water, equivalent to 65 blue whales.

The Astute submarine has the latest stealth technology, a world-beating sonar system and is armed with 38 torpedoes and missiles - more than any previous Royal Navy submarine. She will be able to circumnavigate the entire globe while submerged and advanced nuclear technology means that she will never need to be refuelled.
The Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:
“This is a significant milestone for Astute as she sails for the first time towards her homeport of Faslane. 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 deterrent, and providing land attack and intelligence gathering. Astute will now begin a set of sea trials ahead of her full acceptance with the Royal Navy next year.

“I would like to pay tribute to both the MoD and BAE Systems Submarine Solutions staff who have worked so hard to achieve this remarkable feat of engineering.



DE&S Director Submarines, Rear Admiral Simon Lister, who has overseen the final stages of the submarine production and preparation for sea trials, said:
“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.
“Submarine building combines a huge variety of elements: sometimes it is more like blacksmithing manipulating the steel of the hull, and sometimes it like brain surgery, dealing with advanced technology and performing tasks to an almost unbelievable level of accuracy.
“Astute represents the sum of thousands of individual efforts, and everyone involved in her creation can be proud.”

Astute is expected to arrive in Faslane later this week.

To find more about the Astute Class submarine Visit - Astute
Also read the unit diaries - Astute

[Elbs]

Congratulations to the RN!

She looks downright menacing

[happyslapper]

News Release
Astute Leaves for Sea Trials

16 Nov 2009 | Ref. 219/2009

UK, Barrow-in-Furness: The first of class Astute nuclear powered attack submarine left BAE Systems’ shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness for the first stage of sea trials designed to prove its capability as the most formidable vessel of its kind ever operated by the Royal Navy.

Astute is now on her way to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde at Faslane where she will be based for her operational life.

BAE Systems Submarine Solutions Managing Director John Hudson said: “The first of class Astute submarine successfully departed Barrow for sea trials on Sunday 15 November.

“After leaving Ramsden Dock early Sunday morning, Astute began the journey to HMNB Clyde at Faslane.

“I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank every single person in the business who have played their part in helping deliver the boat, in particular the Dockside Test Organisation and Astute team who have been an absolute strength over the past few months.”

During the transit from Barrow to Scotland, Astute is scheduled to start a period of sea trials that will continue for many months. For much of that time the Royal Navy crew will be accompanied on board by BAE Systems engineers and technicians who will work alongside them to monitor and measure every element of the submarine’s performance against the design parameters.

BAE Systems will also have personnel based at Faslane to deliver the initial in-service support for the submarine.

Astute is the most advanced attack submarine ever supplied to the Royal Navy, incorporating the latest stealth technology combined with a world class sonar system and equipped with Spearfish torpedoes and state of the art Tomahawk land attack missiles to make her a supremely effective naval asset.

Astute is designed to fulfil a range of key strategic and tactical roles including anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, surveillance and intelligence gathering and support for land forces. Displacing 7,400 tonnes and measuring 97 metres from bow to propulsor, Astute is significantly larger than the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines that she will replace but requires fewer crew to operate her due to the advanced technology and automated systems on board.

That technology encompasses many innovations designed to improve operational effectiveness while also reducing costs to help achieve the affordability challenges facing the Ministry of Defence. The 2076 Sonar system is the most effective in the world, giving Astute a key tactical advantage in locating and identifying other vessels, while the stealth characteristics of the submarine design make it the quietest the Navy has ever operated, enabling it to avoid detection and fulfil its role within the ‘Silent Service’, as submarines are known.

Unlimited power is provided by the pressurised water nuclear reactor that is capable of powering a city the size of Southampton, and the Astute is capable of remaining submerged and circumnavigating the globe during a 90-day patrol, creating her own air and fresh water from the ocean. Astute is equipped with a digital optical mast system to replace the traditional periscope and this offers low light and infra-red capabilities to enable her to rapidly capture and analyse visual data, and share it with other fleet assets.

Luxury is not a word that normally appears in the submarine vocabulary – Astute is all about operational capability – but her crew will be the first to each have their own bunk, removing the need for ‘hot bunking’ when during shifts one crewman would occupy a bunk vacated by another. Astute also has a comparatively large and extremely well-equipped galley to ensure the meals that punctuate the round the clock watch system are of the highest standard.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.

http://baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsR...101610858.html

[2495]

She will be able to circumnavigate the entire globe while submerged and advanced nuclear technology means that she will never need to be refuelled.

.......... 90 days to do the globe submerged. Add to that makes her own water and air and is crammed with 38 missiles and torpedos? holy heck Batman thats just epic.

[happyslapper]

.......... 90 days to do the globe submerged. Add to that makes her own water and air and is crammed with 38 missiles and torpedos? holy heck Batman thats just epic.

Not the half of it mate! She carries the latest version of TLAM, can move to a striking position anywhere on the seven seas within 2 weeks, and can hit almost anywhere in the world at stand-off distance in a considerably shorter period. Add that to the Trafalgars and other A-boats that will soon be joining her... and suddenly threatening the UK or her allies isn't such a smiley prospect

[welshmann]

Any pics around showing inside this baby? not certain areas of course :P

this thing looks tiny,but evil!(in a good way)

[2495]

Not the half of it mate! She carries the latest version of TLAM, can move to a striking position anywhere on the seven seas within 2 weeks, and can hit almost anywhere in the world at stand-off distance in a considerably shorter period. Add that to the Trafalgars and other A-boats that will soon be joining her... and suddenly threatening the UK or her allies isn't such a smiley prospect

Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles for those wondering what TLAM is. The newest block system is mind bogglingly updated and lethality increased by massive amounts.

South Atlantic boys and make it snappy!

[happyslapper]

Any pics around showing inside this baby? not certain areas of course :P

this thing looks tiny,but evil!(in a good way)

Like this:



(you might want to click the enlarge button to get the full effect)



http://achyotrosesquema.blogspot.com/

[Steak-Sauce]

Sweet looking sub you got there!!

[2495]

Oh thats bloody fantastic. ^^^^

These pics are small - public domain stuff.





And a bit of Royal Navy art work from their web pages.

[happyslapper]

Someone's personal photos:







HMS Astute sailing past South East Point, Walney Island on her maiden voyage from Barrow-in-Furness to Faslane.

[welshmann]

with these and the type 45,the RN are going bk in time..being a good defence of our island.

[welshmann]

South Atlantic boys and make it snappy!

Ouch.......

[Soldat_Américain]

How many does it take to crew her?

[welshmann]

98...so it says

not the best link but cant be too far off
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/ed...6908-21818475/