British Super Submarines
Posted by kim on Thursday, October 11, 2012
One of
the largest, most advanced subs.
Inside the British Navy's new £1billion supersub: Deadly Hunter Killer submarine is capable of hearing a ship leaving port in New York while sitting underwater in the English channel
- One of the world's most sophisticated and powerful nuclear submarines
- Carries dozens of cruise missiles capable of hitting targets 1,200 miles away
- Her sonar can detect vessels moving on the other side of the ocean
- Powerful nuclear reactor allows her to cruise non-stop for 25 years
- HMS Ambush is so hi-tech the giant submarine doesn't even need a periscope
By Sam
Adams
PUBLISHED: 08:59 GMT, 14 September 2012 | UPDATED: 12:59 GMT, 14 September 2012
PUBLISHED: 08:59 GMT, 14 September 2012 | UPDATED: 12:59 GMT, 14 September 2012
She cost around £1billion to
build, has
sonar so
sensitive it
can hear other
vessels 3,000
miles away and
carries a
giant payload
of 38 deadly
Tomahawk
cruise
missiles.
HMS Ambush, the Royal Navy's newest nuclear attack submarine, is one of the most sophisticated and powerful vessels of her type ever built.
The giant Astute-class sub, which was launched today, is so hi-tech she doesn't even need a periscope.
Scroll down to watch the submarine's weapons being tested...
HMS Ambush, the Royal Navy's newest nuclear attack submarine, is one of the most sophisticated and powerful vessels of her type ever built.
The giant Astute-class sub, which was launched today, is so hi-tech she doesn't even need a periscope.
Scroll down to watch the submarine's weapons being tested...
Awesome: HMS Ambush, which was built by BAE Systems, is believed to be the world's most powerful nuclear attack submarine. Her huge weapons payload includes super-accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and Spearfish torpedoes for fighting other vessels
Success: The super hi-tech vessel has undergone rigorous testing ahead of today's launch. Despite her size the sub's 103 crew will be tightly packed, with some sleeping up to eight to a room in bunk beds
Super sophisticated: A cross-section of the sub shows the complexity of her design and the need to fit as much technology in as possible
Her crew instead using a digital
camera system
to see above
the surface
when she is
submerged.
Built by BAE Systems, she has
enough nuclear
fuel to carry
on cruising
for up to 25
years non-stop
- giving her
huge tactical
flexibility.
Her nuclear reactor is so powerful her range is only really limited by the need for maintenance and resupply.
Astute-class submarines are the largest, most advanced and most powerful in the history of the Navy, boasting world-class design, weaponry and versatility.
HMS Ambush can travel over 500 miles in a day, allowing them to be deployed anywhere in the world within two weeks.
The vessel is also one of the quietest sea-going vessels built, capable of sneaking along an enemy coastline to drop off special forces or tracking a boat for weeks.
Her nuclear reactor is so powerful her range is only really limited by the need for maintenance and resupply.
Astute-class submarines are the largest, most advanced and most powerful in the history of the Navy, boasting world-class design, weaponry and versatility.
HMS Ambush can travel over 500 miles in a day, allowing them to be deployed anywhere in the world within two weeks.
The vessel is also one of the quietest sea-going vessels built, capable of sneaking along an enemy coastline to drop off special forces or tracking a boat for weeks.
Detailed: HMS Ambush was fitted out with her sophisticated technology at Devonshire dock hall in Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria . She contains some of the most hi-tech weapons and sonar systems ever created
HMS Ambush: Her powerful nuclear
reactor allows
her to travel
around the
world without
stopping. She
can cruise for
up to 500
miles in a day
Foreign forces will find it almost
impossible to
sneak up
undetected by
her incredibly
powerful sonar
equipment that
can hear
halfway around
the world.
Her Tomahawk missiles are capable of hitting targets up to 1,200 miles away - making her a vital weapon for Britain 's armed forces.
The sub's commander Peter Green, 47, said the vessel's capabilities are 'unparalleled.'
'This sub is a huge step forward in underwater operations,' he told the Daily Mirror.
'Her listening ability is quite awesome. She has a sonar system with the processing power of 2,000 laptop computers.
Her Tomahawk missiles are capable of hitting targets up to 1,200 miles away - making her a vital weapon for Britain 's armed forces.
The sub's commander Peter Green, 47, said the vessel's capabilities are 'unparalleled.'
'This sub is a huge step forward in underwater operations,' he told the Daily Mirror.
'Her listening ability is quite awesome. She has a sonar system with the processing power of 2,000 laptop computers.
Inside: The weapons room of the £1billion sub. Many details of her weapons system remain top secret
Feeding the crew: The submarine's kitchen will be staffed by five chefs providing food 24-hours a day for her officers and crew
Technology: Leading engineering
technician
Andrew Gee
tests out the
sub's steering
system in the
control room
'It is possible this class of
submarine is
the most
advanced in
the world.'
Another Astute Class sub is currently undergoing sea trials – and could be operational within a year.
Many details of HMS Ambush's weapons systems cannot be revealed for security reasons.
Most of her 103-strong crew live in bunk-beds measuring two metres by one metre, with up to 18 submariners sharing one room.
After today's launch HMS Ambush will begin sea trials before eventually beginning operations.
Another Astute Class sub is currently undergoing sea trials – and could be operational within a year.
Many details of HMS Ambush's weapons systems cannot be revealed for security reasons.
Most of her 103-strong crew live in bunk-beds measuring two metres by one metre, with up to 18 submariners sharing one room.
After today's launch HMS Ambush will begin sea trials before eventually beginning operations.