The British Navy has been replenished with a new Astute-type submarine. Yesterday, September 26, the portal navalpost.com He announced that the Astute-class submarine HMS Audacious has officially entered the Royal Navy's combat fleet.
The laying of the underwater nuclear-powered vessel took place in March 2009, and in 2016 the submarine was launched. Two years later, HMS Audacious completed factory tests and was transferred to the fleet. Audacious is the fourth of seven submarines of its type ordered.
Astute-class submarine
Image source: ft.com
Astute are the largest and most powerful multi-purpose submarines of the British Navy. They can act both as part of the fleet and independently, performing tasks to combat enemy surface ships and submarines. Due to the presence of cruise missiles, submarines can attack ground targets, in addition, their capabilities allow for the landing of small groups of amphibious troops or combat swimmers, as well as to collect intelligence.
Astute-class submarines have a displacement of 7,400 tons and a length of 97 m, they are armed with Spearfish torpedoes of 533 mm caliber, as well as Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles. Submarines can reach a speed of 29 knots and dive to a depth of about 300 m. The crew of each of them consists of 98 people.