Submarine
Astute-class submarine
The Astute-class is a nuclear-powered fleet submarine built by BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness for the Royal Navy, in service since 2010. Seven boats are built or building, and each carries Tomahawk missiles and Spearfish torpedoes.
United Kingdom|BAE Systems SubmarinesWhat Is the Astute-class submarine? Overview, History and Development
BAE Systems built the Astute class to replace the Trafalgar class. Seven boats are planned and all are built or building: HMS Astute (2010), Ambush (2013), Artful (2016), Audacious (2021), Anson (2022), Agamemnon (2024) and Agincourt, due about 2026. Displacement is about 7,400 t submerged, length 97 m and crew about 98. A Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactor with a pump-jet propulsor drives the boat at over 30 knots, and the reactor is designed to last the 25-year life without refuelling.
Six 533 mm torpedo tubes carry up to 38 weapons, including Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk Block IV missiles with a range of about 1,600 km. Anechoic tiles coat the hull, and Sonar 2076 and optronic masts replace periscopes. Cost is about 1.3 billion pounds per boat and about 10 billion for the programme, with early delays and overruns. HMS Anson sailed to Australia in 2024–2025. The SSN-AUKUS will replace Astute from about the late 2030s. Rivals include the Virginia class and Suffren.
Astute-class submarine Specifications: Displacement, Speed, Armament and Crew
Astute-class submarine Variants and Versions Compared
The lead boat, commissioned in 2010.
The first group of boats, generally including Astute, Ambush and Artful, completed between 2010 and 2016.
The later boats, including Audacious, Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt, completed from 2021.
Which Countries Use the Astute-class submarine? Operators and Users
United KingdomAstute-class submarine FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does an Astute-class submarine cost?
An Astute-class submarine costs about 1.3 billion pounds per boat, and the programme cost about 10 billion pounds, according to hedged estimates. Early boats had delays and overruns.
How many Astute-class submarines are there?
There are seven Astute-class submarines, all built or building: Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious, Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt. The last, Agincourt, is due about 2026.
How fast is the Astute-class submarine?
The Astute-class submarine has a speed of over 30 knots submerged, which is the official figure. Its test depth is over 300 m, though the exact number is classified.
Astute vs Virginia class: which is better?
The Astute-class is smaller than the US Virginia class and carries fewer weapons, with up to 38 torpedoes and missiles. Both are nuclear-powered attack submarines, and Astute is built in smaller numbers.
Is the Astute-class nuclear-armed?
The Astute-class is not nuclear-armed. It carries conventional Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles, while Britain’s Trident missiles are carried by the Vanguard and Dreadnought classes.
What will replace the Astute-class?
The SSN-AUKUS will replace the Astute-class from about the late 2030s, built by BAE in the UK and ASC in Australia. It is derived from a UK design.