Fifth Astute-class submarine undergoes milestone test
As well as the Astute Class, BAE Systems is delivering the Dreadnought submarines for the Royal Navy. (Photo: BAE Systems)
BAE Systems has announced its fifth Barrow-built Astute-class submarine, named Anson, successfully submerged beneath the surface of the water while the crew tested onboard systems.
The exercise proved the safety and stability of the 7,400t, 97m-long attack submarine.
Commander David ‘Bing’ Crosby, Commanding Officer of Anson, said: ‘This [trim dive] will enable us to set the boat’s internal weight, prove her water-tight integrity, test sensors and put some of our systems through their tests’.
During a trim dive, the submarine is submerged 15m to complete a number of tests, the most essential of which is to help establish the vessel’s centre of gravity and precise weight.
More than 60 crew embers were on board as part of the exercise, which saw tonnes of ballast taken aboard to assist in testing the vessel’s stability.
HMS Astute, HMS Artful, HMS Ambush and HMS Audacious are already in service. The sixth and seventh submarines, Agamemnon and Agincourt, are at different stages of construction at the Barrow shipyard.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Lockheed Martin strengthens Spanish SPY-7 radar supply chain
The global defence giant chose a Spanish firm for its work on the Bonifaz-class frigate.
-
Oostende mine countermeasures vessel begins sea trials
The first vessel in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM mine-clearing fleet, the Oostende, has begun its sea trials before officially entering service in 2025.
-
US Navy places $312 million contract with Textron Systems for landing craft
Textron’s latest order for Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) follows on from a contract placed in August 2023 for five LCAC.
-
Japan to boost surface fleet with new destroyers and missile ships
Japan is enhancing its naval capabilities with the construction of the 13DDX advanced destroyer and Aegis System Equipped Vessels (AESV), aiming to strengthen its air and missile defence amid increasing security threats, particularly in East Asia.