Astute-class submarine

Astute-class SSN profile
HMS Ambush in 2012
Class overview
Name	Astute class
Builders	BAE Systems Submarines, Barrow-in-Furness
Operators	Royal Navy
Preceded by	Trafalgar class
Succeeded by	Aukus-class submarine (First design contract awarded)
Cost	Over £1.65 billion per boat (2015 est.)
Built	2001–present
In commission	2010–present
Planned	7
Building	2
Completed	5
Active	5
General characteristics
Type	Nuclear-powered fleet submarine
Displacement	Surfaced: 7,000 to 7,400 t (6,900 to 7,300 long tons)[1][2] Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,300 to 7,700 long tons)[1][2]
Length	97 m (318 ft 3 in)[1][2]
Beam	11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)[1][2]
Draught	10 m (32 ft 10 in)[1][2]
Propulsion	1 × Rolls-Royce PWR 2 nuclear reactor MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), submerged[1][2]
Range	Unlimited[3]
Endurance	Unlimited in terms of propulsion, air and water, but otherwise typically 90 days, based on the amount of food carried and endurance of the crew[3]
Test depth	Over 300 m (980 ft)
Complement	98 (capacity for 109)[1]
Sensors and processing systems	Thales Sonar 2076 Atlas DESO 25 echosounder 2 × Thales CM010 optronic masts Raytheon Successor IFF
Armament	6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons:[4][5] Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes

The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines (SSNs) in service with the Royal Navy.^[2] The boats are being constructed by BAE Systems Submarines at Barrow-in-Furness.^[6] Seven boats will be constructed: the first of class, Astute, was launched by Queen Camilla, in 2007,^[7] commissioned in 2010, and declared fully operational in May 2014.^[2] The Astute class is the replacement for the Trafalgar-class fleet submarines in Royal Navy service.^[2]