Under a £2bn Prime Contract, BAE SYSTEMS at Barrow is undertaking the design, build and initial in-service support of three 7800 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 Swiftsure and Trafalgar Classes (also built at Barrow) being undertaken by BAE SYSTEMS at Weymouth.
Missions
- Designed for littoral, deep sea or worldwide deployment
Operational Roles
- Capable of worldwide operational deployment
Primary Roles
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Anti-surface vessel warfare
Secondary Roles
| |
| 97m |
| 7800 tonnes |
| over 300m |
| about 30 knots |
| 90 days |
| 89 crew |
(Figures subject to change as design evolves.)
Armament
- Weapons load is 50% greater than the Trafalgar Class attack submarines.
- Six 533mm missile tubes
- In the region of 30 weapons
- Spearfish torpedoes
- Tomahawk missiles (SLCM)
Propulsion
- Harnessed (nuclear) power - the reactor, requiring no refuelling, will provide all the power an Astute Class submarine needs for life
- One PWR2 Pressurised Water Reactor
- Geared turbine drive and pump jet propulsor
- Diesel-electric emergency propulsion system and diesel generator.
