Major Milestone For Astute Class Submarine
31 Jan 2001
Ref: 009/2001
Defence Procurement Minister Baroness Symons today performed the traditional "laying of the keel" ceremony for HMS Astute, the first of the advanced new class of nuclear submarines currently being built for the Royal Navy.
The ceremony, which took place at the BAE Systems shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness, represents a major milestone in the production of this new class of submarine.
Baroness Symons also unveiled a commemorative plaque to launch the Submarine Centenary Year. Britain's first ever submarine, Holland I, was built at the Barrow yard in 1901.
BAE Systems is the prime contractor for the Astute Class of submarine under a contract worth around 2 billion. As prime contractor, BAE Systems is responsible for the design, build and initial in-service support of three Astutes with options for a "second buy".
HMS Astute is the first in the new breed of nuclear submarine. It is designed for littoral, deep sea and worldwide operations. Its primary roles will be anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare but it is also capable of land attack and mine laying operations.
Kevin Taylor, managing director, BAE Systems Astute said: "This is a major milestone in the Astute programme. Credit must go to everyone involved with Astute, from the BAE Systems Prime Contract Office at Frimley, to the Ministry of Defence and other parts of BAE Systems and to all our suppliers who have helped us come so far with the programme in such a short time, and to schedule. When the Astute Class is fully operational it will not only be a flagship for the Royal Navy but also for BAE Systems' prime contracting capability and for the UK naval and defence industries as a whole."
About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE Systems is the truly global systems, defence and aerospace company. BAE Systems employs more than 100,000 people, in nine home markets around the world and has annual sales of some 12 billion. The company offers an unrivalled global capablity in air, sea and land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs and manufactures civil and military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products.
About Astute:
Under a 2bn Prime Contract BAE Systems is undertaking the design, build and initial in-service support of three 7200 tonne Astute Class Submarines Type SSN for the Royal Navy. The Prime Contract has the potential for further submarines of the Class and includes weapons upgrade of boats in the previous S&T Classes being undertaken by BAE Systems at Weymouth.
Characteristics:
Length Overall:97m
Displacement:7200 tons
Submerged Speed: about 30 knots
Complement:84 (qualified)crew
Figures subject to change as design evolves.
Armament
Weapons load is 50%greater than the existing Trafalgar Class attack submarines.
Six 533mm missile tubes
Total of 38 weapons
-Spearfish torpedoes
-Tomahawk missiles (SLCM)
-Mines (in lieu of torpedoes)
Propulsion
Harnessed (nuclear) power - the reactor, requiring no refuelling, will provide all the power Astute needs for life.
One PWR2 Pressurised Water Reactor
Geared turbine drive and pump jet propulsor
Diesel - electric emergency propulsion system and diesel generator.
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