Astute Class Submarines (SSNs)
The Astute Class Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs) will replace the five remaining Swiftsure Class submarines and eventually, the first two Trafalgar Class vessels.
The original replacement for the Swiftsure Class was the SSN20 project or 'W-Class'. These would have been large submarines designed for blue water operations. Feasibility studies began in 1986 and were completed by 1989. A design contract was placed with VSEL (Vickers Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd) in 1987, but with the end of the Cold War the project was cancelled in 1992. Emphasis switched to the production of a second batch of Trafalgar Class submarines. However the development was extremely slow and initial tenders received from VSEL in June 1995 were too expensive. It wasn't until 17th March 1997 that an order was placed with VSEL (who were now owned by GEC-Marconi) for three vessels: named Astute (S119), Ambush (S120) and Artful (S121). These resurrected names last used for the A Class conventional submarines that first entered service towards the end of the Second World War and it was the first time that a batch of submarines had been ordered together, as in the past nuclear submarines had been ordered singly, on an incremental basis. The contract, worth £2 billion, included an option for two more vessels to be ordered around 2003 or 2004.
Upon coming to power in 1997 the Labour government launched a review of Britain's armed forces. When published in 1998, this Strategic Defence Review (SDR) reaffirmed the commitment to order two more vessels at a later date. However the review also contained plans to reduce the submarine fleet from 12 to 10 boats. The review stated "The attack submarine Flotilla will be slightly smaller, but with a wider fit of Tomahawk and continued acquisition of the modern Astute class submarines it will remain a potent and effective force at the heart of Britain's defence capability.". As a result the five Astute Class vessels will replace three Swiftsure and two Trafalgar class submarines, as opposed to all five Swiftsure class boats: Astute, Ambush and Artful will replace Sovereign, Superb and Sceptre and two additional boats will replace two older Trafalgar class submarines- Splendid and Spartan will not be replaced.
The Astute Class will be larger, quieter and more powerful than the vessels they replace. Under the current specifications (subject to change) they will be 89.40 metres in length and 7,000 tonnes in displacement. They will be able to travel at a speed of 32 knots when submerged, 28 knots surfaced and will be able to dive to depths of 300 metres. They will have a normal complement of 98 but will be capable of accommodating 109 people if necessary.
The Astute Class will be powered by a Rolls Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor and will also be fitted with a pump jet propulsor. The PWR reactor has been developed from the reactors used in the gigantic Vanguard Class ballistic missile submarines. As a result the hull size of Astute is considerably bigger than other British SSNs, powered by smaller reactors. However, the major advantage of the PWR is that it is designed to last the lifetime of the submarine, so costly mid life refuels will not be necessary.
The Astute Class submarines will be built with six 533 mm torpedo tubes and they will be able to carry a total of 36 torpedoes, missiles and mines. Weapons will include the Spearfish torpedo and Submarine-Harpoon anti-ship missile. Following the successful test firing of a Tomahawk cruise missile from H.M.S Splendid, Trafalgar and Swiftsure Class submarines are being modernised to carry the powerful land attack missile. The Astute Class submarines will also carry Tomahawk, but at the moment will be unable to fire the new Tactom (tactical tomahawk), currently under development by the Americans, as the current model can only be launched vertically while Astute will launch tomahawk from torpedo tubes.
The first steel for Astute was cut in November 1999 and her keel laying ceremony took place on January 31st 2001, one hundred years after the keel laying of Holland 1, the Royal Navy's first submarine. Among the 400 people in attendance at the Devonshire Dockhall were two Second World War submariners - retired Vice Admiral Arthur Heslet DSO , who commanded the T Class submarine Trenchant, and retired Lieutenant Commander Ian Fraser VC, who commanded an X-craft midget submarine responsible for sinking a Japanese cruiser. Baroness Symons, the Defence Procurement Minister revealed the 800-tonne reactor compartment, before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the launch of the Royal Navy Submarine Centenary. She commented: "Laying the keel of HMS Astute takes the Royal Navy into its second century of submarine operations. I am confident that crews that will in time serve in HMS Astute and her sister vessels HMS Artful and HMS Ambush will add further lustre to the record of the submarine service as it enters its second century.”.
More interestingly the minister stated "In the Strategic Defence Review the Ministry of Defence said that we planned to order a further two vessels of that class in order to maintain an attack submarine force of 10 vessels. We are now planning for a further three of the class rather than the two we originally envisaged". However she cautiously added "I must emphasise it has not yet been decided to go for the sixth submarine, that decision will take place next year and will be subject to a range of different factors and of course potential changes in the threats our forces come up against". The decision to consider ordering a total of six, as opposed to five, Astute Class vessels was partly inspired by the belief that it would be cheaper to construct a sixth vessel than extend the life of an older submarine, and by the massive boost it would bring to shipbuilding at Barrow- the construction of a single Astute Class submarine represents six years work, employing hundreds of workers. However, the local Conservative parliamentary candidate, James Airey, seized on this as an attempt to woo voters in anticipation of the forthcoming general election. He told The Northwest Evening Mail "I think BAE Systems would certainly welcome the order. We have had no orders whatsoever from this government coming into Barrow. For the long term prosperity of the town we need this decision sooner rather than later. Let's have a decision before the General Election"
Astute will be launched in 2004 and will enter service following about 18 months of commissioning and sea trials. Construction of the second submarine in the class, HMS Ambush, is due to start later this year with the third, HMS Artful, following later.
Above: An aritist's impression of an Astute class submarine. They will be considerably larger than the Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes and differences mean they will be known as 'Astute class' rather than batch 2 Trafalgar Class.
Above: An artist's impression showing Astute beneath the ice.
Above: A computer impression of Astute surfaced.
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© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. Last updated 29th October 2000. Disclaimer.