Astute class submarines are UK nuclear powered hunter-killers (SSNs) which will supersede the Swiftsure class. They are essentially a major upgrade to the
Trafalgar class (and originally known as Batch2 Trafalgar) with a modified front hull.
They should not be confused with the FASM (Future Attack SubMarine) replacing
the Trafalgar class which is still in the early design stage and may be an AIP
(Air Independant Propulsion) rather than nuclear design due to political considerations
of working with the French.
| Sources | High | Low | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | 3 | 300 feet 9 inches (91.7 m) | |
| Beam: | 3 | 35 feet 5 inches (10.8 m) | 34 feet (10.4 m) |
| Displacement: | 3 | 6300/6800 tons (surfaced/submerged) | 5900/6500 tons (surfaced/submerged) |
| Surface Speed: | 0 | Unknown | |
| Submerged Speed: | 3 | 32 knots | 29 knots |
| Crew: | 2 | 110 (including 12 officers) | 100 (including 12 officers) + space for 12 additional personnel |
| Armament: | 6 Torpedo tubes for Spearfish
torpedoes, RNSH (Royal Navy Sub-Harpoon)
anti-ship missiles and Tomahawk land-attack missiles (TLAM) - 36
to 38 weapon capacity. Decoys and ESM will be fitted. Fire Control will be provided by the BAE SYSTEMS SMCS system. |
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