Tri-Service

Footage Released Of New Astute-Class Sub Setting Sail For Sea Trials

Almost 10 and a half years after the first steel was cut on her, the latest addition to the Royal Navy's Astute-class attack submarines, HMS Artful, has set sail from Barrow's BAE Systems shipyard for her maiden trials in the Irish Sea.

Once her sea trials are finished, the final third of the Silent Service’s Astute-class boats will be completed and will then join her older sisters in Faslane.

Hundreds of people gathered to see the third submarine of the Astute Class leave Ramsden Dock this morning.

This is the world's most advanced hunter-killer submarine, boasting £1bn of British built technology, ship-building and know-how.

Last month, The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited the town's shipyard and pledged that HMS Artful would be ready for sea trials in August.

"The crew, alongside the workers at BAE Systems, have done a sterling job in generating more than a million parts into a submarine" said Cdr Bower of his boat which has been compared in terms of complexity with the Space Shuttle.

"Artful's capabilities are extraordinary - she represents the next step in our country's history of operating submarines."

“I’m now looking forward to proving what she is capable of during our sea trials – and continuing our progress towards our first operational mission.”

The Royal Navy took it upon themselves to thank the community where many of the personnel have been accommodated since 2012.

In a letter addressed to the small town, Commander Bower thanked the townspeople:

"As we move forward to taking Artful to sea for the first time, we do so with a very positive impression of a hardworking and warm hearted community; a community that we shall all miss and always hold in high regard."

In the 15 months since the boat entered the water, Artful has undergone numerous tests of her propulsion and power systems – notably her nuclear reactor – and carried out a partial dive in the dock which is wide and long enough to accommodate an A-boat, but at ‘only’ 82ft waters are not deep enough to submerge the Astute subs entirely.

New Astute Class Sub Sets Sail For Sea Trials

Like the boat, the 100-strong crew have gone through similarly-exhaustive instruction and practice, culminating in an assessment by the team from the Flag Officer Sea Training just before Artful put to sea.

Thanks to the lessons learned building her sisters, the boat departed Barrow in a considerably more advanced state – which will speed up the time it will take for her to complete trials and training and beginning front-line patrols.