HMS Audacious, the fourth of seven Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) for the Royal Navy, departed the BAE Systems facility at Barrow-in-Furness on 6 April, en route to Naval Base Clyde.
Restrictions related to the COVID-19 coronavirus meant that only a few BAE Systems employees supported the departure.
The first three boats in the Astute class (HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful) are already in service.
Due to replace the ageing Trafalgar-class SSNs, each Astute boat is 97m long and displaces 7,400t, with a maximum speed of more than 30kt.
Audacious will undergo sea trials before an expected handover in January 2021. All seven submarines are due to be delivered by the end of 2026.
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
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