Astute SSN
Astute class submarines are UK nuclear powered hunter-killers SSNs which will supersede the Swiftsure class. They are a major upgrade to the Trafalgar class (and originally known as Batch 2 Trafalgar) with a modified front hull.
In June 1991, approval to proceed with a programme of studies at an estimated cost of £6m(91/92 prices) to define the Batch 2 Trafalgar Class Boat (now known as the Astute Class). This programme of studies led to the issue of an invitation to tender for the design and build of an initial batch of 3 Astute Class SSNs and a further approval of £2m(92/93 prices) for contractor and DRA support to MOD during the tendering exercise in 1994.
In July 1994, as a result of concerns over the overall affordability of the programme, Minister (Defence Procurement) and the Treasury approved a further £23.5m(at 93/94 prices) for risk reduction studies to be undertaken in parallel with the formal bid phase of the project. To maintain an effective competition, contracts for risk reduction work were awarded to both bidders, GEC Marconi and Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited. Invitations to tender for the first 3 submarines of the class were issued in July 1994 with competitive bids received in June 1995. GEC-Marconi was identified as the MOD's preferred bidder in December of the same year.
The successful outcome of these studies led to EAC approval (Main Gate) in March 1997 to place a contract for the design, build and initial support of 3 Astute Class submarines with GEC Marconi. Following protracted negotiations, using the policy of No Acceptable Price No Contract (NAPNOC), a contract was placed with GEC-Marconi as the Prime Contractor and announced on 17 March 1997. The contract put in place the first whole boat, Prime Contract for UK nuclear powered submarines. The Prime Contract with GEC Marconi is for the design, build, and initial support of three submarines. The support task will be undertaken by the Prime Contractor for a total of eight submarine years (4.5 calendar years). The Prime Contract requires an integrated Tactical Weapons System with a performance at least as good as the Swiftsure & Trafalgar (S&T) Update Final Phase. As a risk reduction measure, the former MOD contracts for the Final Phase of the S&T Update have been novated into the Prime Contract for Astute.
As at 31 March 2000, the Astute project was progressing satisfactorily and is on target to achieve a complete critical systems design review in May 2001 and complete whole boat design freeze review in January 2003.
It is anticipated that an order for a further 3 Astute class submarines will be placed in late 2002. This order will be subject to approval by the EAC, Ministers and Treasury. Estimated cost is £1.7bn.
In the centenary year of the RN's Submarine Service, HMS Astute, the first of a new class of attack submarines, was laid down in January 2000. The Astute class will be the Royal Navy's largest and most capable ever class of attack submarine, true multi-role platforms equipped with the Tomahawk missile.
Astute was laid down at a ceremony attended by Baroness Symons, the Minister for Defence Procurement, and Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh, the First Sea Lord. The event is almost 100 years to the day after the start of work at Barrow on the HMS/m TB 1, popularly known in service as Holland 1, after her American designer, John Holland. However, just about the only points in common between the two vessels are their construction in Barrow and their ability to submerge.
Astute will be one of the most capable submarines anywhere in the world. At 7200 tons, she will be the Royal Navy's largest ever attack submarine. Her nuclear reactor will propel her at high speed and allow her to remain submerged with a crew of 98 as long as necessary. She will be armed with six torpedo tubes, able to fire advanced weapons including the Spearfish guided torpedo and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.
Under the "Smart Acquisition" program, Astute is being built about one fifth more quickly than earlier boats, will have lower running costs and will have a much smaller ship's company. She will also have massively increased firepower and will be equipped from day one to operate cruise missiles.
Astute will be launched in 2004, and should enter service 18 months later following commissioning work and sea trials. Two other boats of this class - Ambush and Artful - will also be built at Barrow; work is due to start on Ambush in late 2001. The MOD is considering plans for a second batch of up to three more of the class. About 5,000 people will be employed at the shipyard and other main sub-contractors and in the supply chain at the peak of production work.
They should not be confused with the FASM (Future Attack SubMarine) replacing the Trafalgar class which is still in the early design stage and maybe an AIP (Air Independant Propulsion) rather than nuclear design.
Astute will already have a larger torpedo room than Virginia (36 weapons vs. 26) and more horizontal torpedo tubes (6 vs. 4), so the net warloads are about the same (36 vs 38). BAE and the MOD have never absolutely ruled out VLS tubes for the later Astute's (ie Batch 2 onwards). The main driver for fitting VLS would have been if it proved impossible to economically adapt the new Tactical Tomahawk LAM for horizontal torpedo tube launch.
