Royal Navy’s third Astute Class attack submarine HMS Artful has left Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, to commence her Contractor Sea Trials.
The 7,400-tonne BAE Systems-built submarine is expected to join the Royal Navy’s fleet around the end of this year.
After her sea trials the vessel will set sail towards its new home at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.
The Astute class subs feature the latest nuclear-powered technology and are the most advanced and powerful submarines Britain has ever sent to sea. They have the ability to operate covertly and remain undetected in almost all circumstances despite being 50 per cent bigger than the Royal Navy’s current Trafalgar Class submarines.
The seven Astute class nuclear powered submarines (SSNs) will have the capability to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing, limited only by their food storage capacity.
When construction is complete, the class will comprise seven Astute submarines – each one packed with cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology. They are:
– HMS Astute – HMS Ambush – Artful – Audacious – Anson – Agamemnon – Boat 7 (yet to be officially named)
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Naval Today Staff, Image: BAE Systems