Engineering news
BAE Systems launched Anson, the fifth of seven Astutes being built for the Navy, from its site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, earlier today (21 April).
The Astute class boats are the largest and most advanced attack submarines ever built for the Navy. Measuring 97m long, the boats can circumnavigate the globe submerged and produce their own oxygen and drinking water.
Anson will now begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme, before leaving Barrow for sea trials with the Navy next year.
The first four submarines in the class – HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful and HMS Audacious – have been handed over to the Navy, with a further two under construction in Barrow.
Steve Timms, managing director of BAE Systems’ Submarines, said: “The launch marks an important milestone in the Astute programme, and seeing Anson enter the water at such an advanced state is a tangible demonstration of everyone's hard work over the years.
“Designing and building nuclear-powered submarines is a national endeavour and days like this bring a huge sense of pride for our workforce, our partners in the submarine enterprise and our UK supply chain, not to mention our communities.
"We now look forward to a successful test and commissioning phase and working alongside Anson's crew to prepare the submarine for operations with the Royal Navy."
Working alongside the Submarine Delivery Agency and Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems is also a member of the Dreadnought Alliance, helping to deliver the UK's next class of nuclear deterrent submarines. Two of the four submarines are under construction, with the first due to enter service in the early 2030s.
Approximately 10,000 people work on the Dreadnought and Astute programmes at the Barrow site. BAE Systems said it expects to recruit more than 200 graduates and 1,500 apprentices over the next five years.
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