BRITAIN’S new nuclear attack submarine with a Rolls-Royce reactor and six torpedoes launched for the first time.
HMS Agamemnon, the latest Royal Navy Astute Class attack sub, set off at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Named after the ancient Greek king who launched the Trojan War, it is the sixth of seven, all of which have been designed and built at the Company’s historic Barrow shipyard – home of UK submarine building.
The nuclear-powered boat, which weighs in at 7,400 tonnes and is 97 metres long, rolled out of the Devonshire Dock Hall and entered the water this morning.
Agamemnon will now begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme, before leaving Barrow for sea trials with the Royal Navy.
Steve Timms, Managing Director, BAE Systems Submarines, said: “This is a hugely significant milestone for everyone at BAE Systems, the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and the Royal Navy.
“The design and build of a nuclear-powered submarine is incredibly complex and a truly national endeavour and I pay tribute to the thousands of highly-skilled people who have helped get Agamemnon to this stage.
“Submarines are a vital component of the UK’s defence capabilities and we must now work collectively to ensure Agamemnon is ready to join her sister submarines in service with the Royal Navy.”
Agamemnon Commanding Officer, Commander David ‘Bing’ Crosby, said: “There is still plenty to do until we get to exit Agamemnon from Barrow, but the entire workforce should be full of pride for what they have achieved with this build so far.
“I am looking forward to working with our friends at BAE Systems, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise to get Agamemnon through these final tests and ready for her exit from Barrow.”
The Astute Class boats are the largest and most advanced attack submarines ever built for the Royal Navy.
Their state-of-the-art technology, powered by a Rolls-Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor, means they never need to be refuelled and, as they manufacture their own oxygen and drinking water for their 98 crew members, they are able to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing.
It’s powerful engine means it can travel at around 30 knots when submerged.
HMS Agamemnon can carry up to 38 weapons in six 21-inch torpedo tubes, including Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.
The Tomahawk missiles have a range of up to 1,000 miles, while the Spearfish torpedoes are designed to engage submarines and surface ships.
The sub is also fitted with the Thales Sonar 2076 system and two Thales CM010 optronic masts, which replace traditional periscopes.
The first five submarines in the class, HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious and HMS Anson, have been handed over to the Royal Navy, with work well underway for the final Astute boat, Agincourt.
The first submarine in the class, HMS Astute, was launched in 2010.
