Keel of Third Astute SSN Laid

From Defence Aerospace

Keel of Third Astute-Class Submarine Is Laid

Source: UK Defence Procurement Agency; issued March 11, 2005

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West today performed the traditional 'laying the keel' ceremony for HMS Artful -- one of the biggest and most powerful attack submarines ever procured by the Royal Navy.

The ceremony marks the formal start of construction of HMS Artful, the third Astute-class submarine under construction by BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness. She joins HMS Astute and HMS Ambush, currently being assembled at the Barrow shipyard.

With improved communications, a greater capacity for joint operations and the ability to carry more weaponry, the Astute-class submarines will become a cornerstone of UK defence capability.

Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach said: "This ceremony marks another significant stage in this important project. The Astute class will be the most advanced and powerful attack submarines the Royal Navy has ever operated and these boats will play a key part of our defences for decades to come.

"The Royal Navy has a requirement for nuclear powered submarines well into the future and the Barrow-in-Furness yard remains the UK's centre of excellence for submarine building. Announcements on the procurement of further Astute class boats will be made at the appropriate time.

"Submarines are extremely demanding engineering projects, and the Astute class is no exception."

Around 5,500 people are employed on the project for the first three Astute class submarines, which has an expected cost to MoD of about £3.5Bn.

BACKGROUND NOTES:

1. The third of three Astute-class submarines ordered by the MoD, HMS Artful joins HMS Astute and HMS Ambush - already under construction.

2. First of class HMS Astute is expected to enter service in 2009.

3. Astute-class submarines will displace 7,800 tonnes dived and are 97 metres long. They will have six weapons tubes and massively increased firepower compared with earlier attack submarines. They can dive to depths in excess of 300 metres and will have a complement of 98 men. They are to be powered by a Pressurised Water Reactor 2, equipped with Core H, which will fuel the reactor for the submarine's full service life, ending the need for costly reactor refuellings.

4. HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful are being procured by the Defence Procurement Agency Attack Submarines Integrated Project Team based at Abbey Wood, Bristol.

5. Astute class submarines will be based at Faslane on the Clyde and will undergo refits at Devonport.