Astute class sub Artful enters the water
Above:
Artful on the shiplift.
© 2014 BAE Systems
Moving the nuclear-powered attack submarine from the BAE Systems construction hall at Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, and into the water was a huge milestone in the Astute submarine programme.
Weighing in at 7,400 tonnes and at 97 metres long, Artful is the third of 7 highly complex Astute Class submarines being built for the Royal Navy. Two of the submarines, HMS Astute and HMS Ambush, have already been handed over to the Royal Navy, and construction of the remaining 5 continues.
Now in the water, Artful will begin the next phase of her test and commissioning process ahead of sea trials next year.
Stuart Godden, Astute Programme Director for BAE Systems, said: “The launch of Artful is another significant step forward in the Astute programme. Building on past experiences we’ve been able to launch her in the most advanced state of construction of any submarine to be built in Barrow. This allows us to now fully concentrate on the test and commissioning activities required to get her to sea."