Latest astute class submarine enters water for first time in Cumbria

A new nuclear-powered attack submarine was launched ahead of the May bank holiday weekend.

Audacious - the fourth of seven astute class attack vessels being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy - was lowered into dock water for the first time on Friday 28th April at BAE Systems’ Barrow-in-Furness site in Cumbria.

The submarine, which stretches for 97 metres and weighs 7,400 tonnes, will now begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme ahead of leaving Barrow for sea trials in 2018.

Astute class submarines are the most highly-capable submarines ever built for the Royal Navy. Equipped with Spearfish torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack missiles and a world-leading sonar capability, they can strike at targets up to 1,000km (621 miles) from the coast with pinpoint accuracy.

“Such a feat of engineering is testament to the skills of the BAE Systems workforce in Barrow,” said rear admiral John Weale, assistant chief of naval staff submarines.

“As part of an increasingly capable Royal Navy, Audacious will go on to serve on operations right around the world, helping keep Britain safe.”

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.

BAE Systems’ submarines business employs approximately 8,500 people and spends more than £300 million per year with over 1,000 direct suppliers, 85 per cent of whom are based in the UK.