BAE launches HMS

HMS Audacious, the fourth of seven Astute- class attack submarines being built for the Royal Navy, was launched by BAE Systems at its site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK on 28 April 2017. The 97-metre long, 7,400 tonne highly-capable nuclear powered submarine which was officially named at a ceremony in December last year, emerged from the site’s giant Devonshire Dock Hall and was lowered into the dock water for the first time to begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme ahead of leaving Barrow for sea trials next year.

Armed with Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land attack missiles, the Astute- class submarines are “the most highly-capable submarines ever built for the Royal Navy”, which can strike at targets up to 1,000km from the shoreline with pin-point accuracy, are equipped with a world-leading sonar capability and powered by a nuclear reactor. The first three submarines in the class, HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful, are now in service with the final three Astute- class submarines at various stages of construction at the Barrow site.