The Royal Navy’s HMS Astute begins a years-long overhaul after 15 years of service, highlighting the Astute-class subs’ global capabilities, stealth, and enduring importance in Britain’s nuclear-powered fleet.
The final of a planned seven Royal Navy nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) is now under construction at BAE Systems’ facilities in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, with plans for the boat to enter service by early 2029. Even as the program is nearing its completion, the lead vessel of the Astute-class of hunter-killer subs, known as “A-boats,” is preparing for a “mid-life revamp” after 15 years of continuous service.
HMS Astute has completed the “longest first commission in the history of the Silent Service,” the Royal Navy announced, adding that the boat will “be handed over to the team at Babcock,” the shipbuilder that is also overseeing the refit of the service’s Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
The mid-life re-validation period (MLRP) is expected to last several years. During that time, the submarine will be partially dismantled, allowing the boat to receive upgrades to the nuclear reactor, combat systems, and even structural components. However, the boat’s Rolls-Royce PWR2 Core-H type reactor doesn’t require traditional refueling.
What Is the HMS Astute?
In addition to seeing the longest first commission, the HMS Astute has racked up numerous other accomplishments. Among the noteworthy milestones for the submarine was her 2021 deployment to Australia with the then-flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, during which time she became the first A-boat to sail through the Suez Canal.
HMS Astute was also the first of her class to visit the United States, where she undertook “extensive weapons/sonar trials,” the Royal Navy acknowledged.
However, most of her missions, which are carried out mainly under the sea, have been to safeguard the home waters around the British Isles. That has included monitoring for movements of potential threats, including Russian warships.
As the boat prepares to be sidelined for what could be several years, the HMS Astute hosted a special day for friends, family, and guests. The brief voyage even saw the submarine dive underwater, allowing the crew to demonstrate how they live and work while at sea.
What Are the Capabilities of the HMS Astute?
The Astute-class is considered to be among the most capable attack submarines in service today. Each of the five operation boats is equipped with world-leading sensors, carries Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, and can circumnavigate the globe submerged, producing its own oxygen and drinking water.
Only the US Navy can match the capabilities of the Royal Navy’s underwater warships.
The program’s origins can be traced back to February 1986, when the Ministry of Defense (MOD) launched a series of studies aimed at determining the capabilities and requirements for replacing its aging Swiftsure– and Trafalgar-class fleet submarines. Each sub is roughly 97 meters (318 feet) in length and carries a crew of around 100 sailors, with a total capacity of 109.
The Astute class is outfitted with numerous technological firsts, notably including the absence of an optical periscope. Instead, it employs high-specification video technology, which enables the crew to scan the horizon and get a 360-degree view to address any potential threat.
Moreover, unlike other nuclear-powered submarines, the Astute class was developed to utilize state-of-the-art anti-acoustic tiles. Each hull is fitted with more than 39,000 acoustic tiles that mask the vessel’s sonar signature and allow the submarines to glide through the water almost silently. The slight noise the boats give off has been compared to that of a “baby dolphin.”
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author [email protected].
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/LA(Phot) Paul Halliwell/MOD.
