History of HMS Astute S119HMS Astute is an operational nuclear-powered attack submarine in the Royal Navy, the lead boat of her class.
Astute is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to be named after the characteristic of shrewdness and discernment—the first was the World War II-era Amphion-class Astute. She was the largest attack submarine in Royal Navy history when commissioned in 2010. Astute was ordered from GEC's Marconi Marine (now BAE Systems Submarines) on 17 March 1997. She was laid down at BAE's submarine facility in Barrow-in-Furness on 31 January 2001, 100 years to the day after the keel was laid down for the Royal Navy's first submarine Holland 1.[3] She was the first submarine built in the UK since HMS Vengeance (launched in 1998). Astute was launched on 8 June 2007 by the then Duchess of Cornwall, 43 months behind schedule. The launch attracted more than 10,000 spectators. Her builders BAE Systems described her as "the largest and most able attack submarine that the Royal Navy has operated, with a performance to rival any in the world". Astute left Barrow on 15 November 2009 and on 20 November 2009, arrived at her home port of HMNB Clyde at Faslane. On 16 February 2010 Astute left Faslane for sea trials and dived for the first time on 18 February 2010. HMS Astute was commissioned on 27 August 2010, when she was given her HMS prefix, in a ceremony watched over by her patron the Duchess of Cornwall. She was delivered to the Royal Navy on 18 July 2013 and at that time was reported to be, "nearing the end of her sea trials." In reality, the Royal Navy declared Astute to be fully operational in May 2014, some 13 years after being laid down. Astute departed Faslane on her maiden deployment at the beginning of 2014, spending eight months abroad. Her deployment included an attached dry deck shelter aft of the sail, possibly for an SBS troop deployment. Astute returned to Faslane in October 2014. Following her return to Faslane, Astute began a two-year major capability upgrade and sea training period. Her training saw her working with a Canadian maritime patrol aircraft and a NATO submarine in a simulated war environment. Having successfully completed this, Astute was once again declared ready for operations. In November 2018, Astute took part in anti-submarine warfare exercises alongside Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans in an undisclosed Scottish loch. |
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