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BAE Systems launched Audacious - the fourth Astute-class SSN Submarine for Royal Navy.

30 Apr, 2017 17:32 | 2017

Naval Industry News - UK

BAE Systems launched Audacious - the fourth Astute-class SSN Submarine for Royal Navy

Audacious, the fourth of seven Astute class attack submarines being built for the Royal Navy, was launched April 28th by BAE Systems at its site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK. The 97-metre long, 7,400 tonne highly-capable nuclear powered submarine which was officially named at a ceremony in December last year, emerged from the site's giant Devonshire Dock Hall April 27th. On the 28th it was lowered into the dock water for the first time to begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme ahead of leaving Barrow for sea trials next year.

Audacious prior its launch

Armed with Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land attack missiles, the Astute class submarines are the most highly-capable submarines ever built for the Royal Navy. They can strike at targets up to 1,000km from the coast with pin-point accuracy, are equipped with a world-leading sonar capability and powered by a nuclear reactor. The first three submarines in the class, HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful, are now in service with the final three Astute class submarines are at various stages of construction at the Barrow site.

Audacious emerged from BAE Systems Devonshire Dock Hall April 27th.

BAE Systems is the prime contractor in the Astute programme and the UK's only designer and builder of nuclear powered submarines - one of the world’s most complex engineering challenges. The Company is also the industrial lead for the Dreadnought programme, the Royal Navy's next generation of nuclear deterrent submarines. Construction of the first of four submarines, named Dreadnought, began last year.

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BAE Systems launched Audacious - the fourth Astute-class SSN Submarine for Royal Navy.