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Britain launches massive submarine that can hear a ship from across the Atlantic
Last updated at 23:37pm on 08.06.07She is four years late and a massive £900million over-budget.
But when the Royal Navy's super-sub HMS Astute finally arrived, she made for an awesome sight.
More complex than the space shuttle, and able to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing, the 7,400-ton monster is the largest and deadliest hunter-killer submarine ever built.
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Artist's impression
The Duchess of Cornwall cracked a bottle of beer – brewed by the sub's crew – on her prow to officially name the "boat", in Navy jargon, before she was gingerly wheeled out of her shed at the stately speed of one metre per minute.
The specifications for Britain's biggest submarine make for mind- boggling reading, but it was the sheer size of the black behemoth which made its mark on the 10,000 dockyard workers, schoolchildren, VIPs and Navy personnel invited to the ceremony in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
As long as a football pitch, at 318ft, and as wide as four double- decker buses, HMS Astute is a third longer than any sub which has gone before.
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The massive submarine is slowly moved into position
Her nuclear-powered engine will propel her through the water at more than 20 knots, yet the UK's first stealth sub makes less noise than a baby dolphin, making her as good as undetectable by enemy ships.
Astute's sonar is so advanced that if she was lying in the English Channel she would be able to detect ships leaving New York harbour 3,000 nautical miles away (although the details of how she can do this are classified).
The nuclear reactor will never need refuelling, and with an ability to make oxygen and drinking water out of sea water, the sub could stay underwater for its entire 25-year lifespan were it not for the needs of the crew.
Once she goes into operation in 2009, Astute will carry a 98-man crew and stay at sea for 12 weeks on a routine patrol.
She will carry 38 Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a range of 1,240 miles, meaning Astute could attack targets in North Africa with pinpoint accuracy while sitting off the coast of Plymouth.
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The Astute submarine under construction at Barrow
Spearfish torpedoes will also be on board for attacking ships and other subs.
But Astute will not carry nuclear weapons – the UK's Trident missiles are launched from the Vanguard class of submarines.
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Camilla officially launced the submarine at the ceremony
The Navy's submarine chief Captain Mike Davis-Marks said: "The Astute class of submarines will quite simply be unbeatable worldwide for many years to come.
"Astute will have a capability that will keep us right at the top of the premiership of the world's navies – the Manchester United of submarine nations. With our proud heritage, Britain deserves nothing less."
Astute is the first of four vessels to be built by BAE Systems at a total cost of £3.85billion, or £960million each.
She will be joined by HMS Ambush, HMS Artful and HMS Audacious, with an option for a further three subs to come.
Defence procurement minister Lord Drayson called Astute "a truly remarkable vessel" whose importance "cannot be over-estimated".
As the Duchess of Cornwall named the sub – the first such ceremony she has carried out – she said: "As an admiral's wife myself, I am delighted to be in Barrow-in-Furness today for the naming and launching of Astute. I shall follow her progress with particular interest and hope to see her in the near future."
She was presented with a retriever puppy, similar to one which appears on the Astute's crest, which will be donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
The boat, which will replace the Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes, will be gently lowered into the water. It will eventually be based in Faslane on the Clyde in Scotland.
Reader views (68)
At last and a good start. Another 9 are needed. Thank you America for the well wishes. A stronger Britain, is a stronger America, is a free-er world!
- J Gamecho, London. Great Britain
INDIA SHOULD BUY THESE SUBS TO TACKLE GROWING CHINEES POWER
- Sagar Pratap, allahabad,(india)
Lets hope there is a war soon, so that we can test it out.....
- Kris Finch, Cheltenham England
glad to see my old service has not lost the edge
- Brian Seymour, CRib point australia
i would like to reply to k haufman new york the brits that dis the usa are mostly for peace you know the type the best part of the uk love the usa and all she stands for
- Graham Davie, newcastle upon tyne
Great to see the RN still leading the world in 'Boats'. I served on the "Magic O's" and even they were a match for anyone.
Phenominal boat - all the best for her and all her crew.
- Peter Stokes, Cronulla, New South Wales, Australia
A fantastic achievement and all credit to GB
- Jfrussell, edinburgh
"god bless usa " indeed the british colony!
- Thomas, NY ,USA
As a Navy Dad of a retired USN Senior Chief Petty Officer, Submarine Service, I'm proud to wish you well and God speed. My son served on USN Tridents and Fast Attacks both in the Pacific and Atlantic. God Bless America and God save the Queen.
- Don Walters, Greenwood, Indiana, USA
Never seen this in Daily Mail, they have kept it quiet in UK I wonder why, some one might start an enquiry into the mismanagement. Will we now be able to keep an eye on China, " head under water " best leave them to spread across Africa.---Not taking slaves, makes good news.
- Bryan .K. Knibbs., Upper Heyford United Kingdom.
Its nice to see how the Americans are patting the Brits on the back,and again seeing some people who diss things like this,have you thought about what would happen if we didn't have these kind of subs,destroyers or even aircraft carriers? Its not a question of beat who to what yada yada yada scenario but being part of team which ever country you are in to secure our future.
Gods speeds lads and fair winds!
- Steven, oldham,UK
Congratulations to America's #1 friend - the U.K. Fair winds and following seas!!
- James S. Baron, Washington, D.C. USA
Congratulations, Brits! As someone said earlier, so glad we are allies...and may the HMS Astute serve with distinction.
Hope we in the USA get our 'copies' soon!!
- Cynthia O'Keeffe, San Diego, California USA
What an amazing boat creature! And, I love Camilla's hat.
- Maggie Blue, West Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A
Bravo to the Royal Navy and its submarine force.
- Millard Allen, St. Simons Island, GA, USA
P.S. on my last comments, The ability of hear a ship across the ocean is not a new technology, There are "sofar" channels in the ocean that act as acoustic waveguilds that allow this to be possible. Whales find each other in this fashion. The big goal is to reduce the acoustic signature to make sure someone else can't hear YOU. It sounds like they have done this with a 1 watt acoustic emission level.
- Dale Galarowicz, Canon City, Co.
Britian once again rules the waters to help protect freedom and the Western way of life. Job well done. Thank you from all of us in America.
- Bill Tedesco, Warren, Michigan
What a job well done. It's great to know we're not alone in protecting the free world. I'm glad they're on our side. May God bless the crew and keep them safe.
- Frank Fawcett, Cameron Park California, USA
A fine addition to the US Navy's Virginia Class.
- H Kaufman, New York, New York
Notice all the compliments from Americans to the Brits. I wonder why when it's a story on America the comments from the Brits are always attacking us.
- Andrew, Tualatin, OR USA
Great Sub - Glad were Allies!
- Joe M, Portsmouth, NH USA
It would be more stealth if nobody knew about it.
- Aaron, Iowa, USA
Nice bit of metal indeed! We hope you're not afraid to use it.
- David, Westport, CT, USA
Very fitting that the the Royal British Navy should produce a breakthrough piece of technology such as this. Hurrah for Merry Old England! May she and the USA be partners in spreading liberty around the globe ad infinitum. And may the US Navy soon launch something equally as awesome as the Astute. Shades of "The Hunt for Red October."
- Thomas Sechrist, Dillsburg, PA USA
Well done!
- Jack Readd, Georgetown, Texas
So glad to know these will be in the world's oceans, and that you guys are on our side!
- Doug, USA
Some day the boats, equipment, and technology may catch up to the quality of those who serve on them.
But I doubt it.
- Uss Whale Ssn638 '81-'85, Key Largo, FL (USA)
God Bless and God Speed. Semper Fidelis.
- Charles Deel, York, PA United States
Hazza For the Brits !!!!
- Mike, Ridgewood New Jersey USA
Quote:
BAE said: "With a radar signature equivalent to a dolphin,..."
Shouldn't it be SONAR signature? I think RADAR can't be used underwater!
But "In the right conditions it can detect the QE2 leaving New York harbour from the English Channel." is truly a marvelous feat of engineering in the signal processing arena.
I wish the best for Royal Navy!
- Betta Sharma, Portland, Oregon
Congratulations on the boat.
The terrorists don't stand a chance now!
- Bill G, USA
What ever happened to the use of swords between people of differing opinions? Does this world really need more push-button death machines?
- Joseph W. Schultz, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Well done. May she serve with distinction and do her duty if put in harm's way.
- John S., Arizona, USA
BZ Boys, God's speed and Good Hunting.
- Gregg Carpenter, Canton, Ohio
There are millions upon millions of men, women, and children suffering all across the globe - is this really neccessary?
- Betty Silverman, Washington, DC
Brits:
A most refreshing piece of news indeed.
- Ejdavid, GA USA
Nice. A brand new uber-expensive, state of the art sub. Use it well against Iran and their armada of glorifed tug-boats.
- Alex, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Fair winds & following seas
- Bob Mercer Former Sts 3 (Ss), KC MO USA
Very nice sub,kudos to England.
- Jeffw, Fernandina,Fl.USA
U.S.A. does have thiers it's called the Seawolf.
This helps bolster the Royal Navy's Trafalger class subs and most likely replace an older generation of subs.
- Israel Cortes, Atlanta, Georgia
This has gotta be one of the most menacing things I have ever seen!!
Looks stunning, but I still think the Vanguard SSBN's are the best-looking. Did you know, there are plans for an entirely new fleet of SSBN's, to go along with these new hunter-killers?
- Douglas, Fleet, UK
Dont yall think giving away all them secrets and photos and details is gonna encourage the Al quiada to attack them better? Anyways it dont matter what we got here in in America is better!
- William, Tupelo, MS
Beautiful. Almost makes me wish I was still punching holes in the Atlantic myself.... Almost. God bless her crew and her journey.
- Charles Comerford Et2/Ss, Islip, NY
If GB developed over the past 5 years, China should have a copy version within a month.
- Roger, Miami, US
Can I sign up for a ride? That is one amazing boat.
- Peter, New York, USA
Nice sub, too bad the US beat you guys to it (Virginia Class)
- Tony Fisher, San Diego, Calif. USA
Glad they're [the Brits] on our side! - Will they be available at Subs'R'Us or NukeMax? - Do they come with rich Corinthian leather? - Black is nice for formal cruising, but do they come in other colors for informal voyages? - Does it have an I-Pod docking station? - I didn’t see any servant’s quarters in the brochure. Servant’s quarters are an absolute must! Are there plans for servant’s quarters in up-coming model years? So many questions. Can a sales rep call me to discuss financing?
- Taf, Frederick, Maryland
To paraphrase Darth Vader, "...Impressive, most impressive."
- Mike G, Colorado, USA
She's beautiful and proves that the United Kingdom still belongs on the waves. God speed to her and crew.
- Robert Fowler Em3 Usn, Tampa, FL
Thank goodness the Royal Navy is on our side!
- James Randall, Columbus, GA USA
This is a white elephant, the russians already have technology that can detect this,. this sub maybe work against third world countries, but no match for other world powers.
- Kato321, Sussex
My Dad and Husband were diesel boat submariners. I know they are impressed.
- Js, Covington, TN USA
Fair winds and following seas !
- James Loftus, Miami , Florida , USA
Great Ship! We wish you well in all your ventures!!! Makes me wonder if the USA can still build anything. In Norfolk, VA maybe? Or has USA outsourced all its possible innovative actual shipbuilding capability to China -- along with all other USA outsourcing of means of production?
- C.J. Turner, Greeley, Colorado USA
A most impressive boat. Congratulations to your Navy, and may she and her
crew sail safely in service to the free world. Godspeed.
- Eric Dreher, Oceanside, CA, USA
A beautiful piece of technology. Hope the USA gets theirs, soon!
- John, Riverside, Calif. USA
Gorgeous sub. Congrats.
- Mark Berton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rule, Britannia!
- Vink, Manhattan, USA
Congrats Mum on a fine ship. It is a technological marvel!
- Jwh, Columbus, OH, USA
Nice looking boat you got there.
- Mark, CA, USA
Wonderful. May Brittania rule the waves forever!
- Trone Abeetin, Boston, MA, USA
Congratulations! Beautiful boat.
- Ricky Dock, Houston, Texas
Rule Britannia. Congratulations.
- John Millen, Baker, Oregon
Hope "Mr. Bean" isn't part of the crew.
- Klaus Heinzelmann, New York, USA
Cool! - wish I had one!
- B. S. Davis, London, UK
Excellent. My kind of gadget.
- Steve Eisenberg, United States
Well done. God speed.
- Jason, Illinois, USA
Nice work Brits. Very impressive.
- Larry Atkins, Crown Point, IN, USA
