HMS Agamemnon (S124)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Agamemnon.

History
United Kingdom
Name	Agamemnon
Namesake	Agamemnon
Ordered	March 2010
Builder	BAE Systems Submarine Solutions
Cost	£1.533 billion (budget) [1]
Laid down	18 July 2013
Launched	3 October 2024 [2]
Christened	22 April 2024 [3]
Commissioned	22 September 2025 [4]
Identification	Pennant number: S124
Status	Pre-sea trial testing
Badge
General characteristics
Class & type	Astute-class fleet submarine
Displacement	Surfaced: 7,000 to 7,400  t (6,900 to 7,300 long tons) [5] [6] Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,700 long tons) [5] [6]
Length	97 m (318 ft 3 in) [5] [6]
Beam	11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) [5] [6]
Draught	10 m (32 ft 10 in) [5] [6]
Propulsion	Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor, MTU 600 kW (800 hp) diesel generators
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), submerged [5] [6]
Range	Unlimited [7]
Endurance	90 days [7]
Test depth	Over 300 m (980 ft)
Complement	98 (capacity for 109) [5]
Sensors & 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: [8] Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes

HMS Agamemnon is the sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. She is the sixth vessel of the Royal Navy to bear the name, after the legendary Greek king Agamemnon.

Construction

On 25 March 2010, BAE Systems were contracted by the government to begin construction on boats 5 and 6 (Anson and Agamemnon), being given a £300 million contract for the "initial build" of boat 5 and "long lead procurement activities" for boat 6. ^[9] Initial construction work was begun on boat 6 late in 2010. ^[10]

On September 15, 2011, its name was announced as Agamemnon. The keel was laid on 18 July 2013 by the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne. ^[11] On 17 April 2017, a contract for the submarine's completion was signed, with the final construction cost amounting to £1.533 billion. ^[12]

Agamemnon's electric switchboards were powered up for the first time on 1 October 2020. ^[13] The vessel was christened on 23 April 2024, with a bottle of beer from the local Ulverston Brewing Company. ^[14] On 2 October 2024, Agamemnon was rolled out of the build hall and was launched the next day. ^[15]

Agamemnon's commissioning took place on 22 September 2025, with the commissioning warrant read by King Charles III. ^[4] The event was also attended by Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins and Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems. ^[16] In October 2025, the boat completed a 3-day "trim dive" at the shipyard, designed to confirm the integrity of the submarine's pressure hull. ^[17]

It is expected to take approximately 18 months from commissioning to being fully operational. ^[18]

Official naming ceremony of HMS Agamemnon

Charles III at commissioning ceremony, 22 September 2025

Design

Propulsion

Agamemnon's nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25-year service. Since the submarine can purify water and air, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The submarine's only principal limitation is the vessel’s ability to carry provisions for 98 officers and ratings^{[ clarification needed ]} for about three months.

Weapons

Agamemnon will have provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. ^[19] The submarine will be capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) ^[20] and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.

References

1. "Ministry of Defence Major Projects Report 2015 and the Equipment Plan 2015 to 2025" (PDF). National Audit Office. 22 October 2015. p. 43.
2. "Hail the Warrior King as submarine HMS Agamemnon is launched". Royal Navy. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
3. "Barrow naming ceremony for Navy submarine Agamemnon". BBC News. 22 April 2024.
4. Allison, George (22 September 2025). "King commissions Royal Navy's newest attack submarine". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
5. Bush, Steve (2014). British Warships and Auxiliaries. Maritime Books. pp. 10–11. ISBN   978-1904459552.
6. "Astute-class attack submarines". royalnavy.mod.uk. Royal Navy. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
7. "BAE Systems - Astute class submarines". baesystems.com. BAE Systems . Retrieved 25 July 2016.
8. "UK's most powerful submarine joins the Navy". Ministry of Defence. 27 August 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
9. North West Evening Mail Archived 1 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine £300 million order to boost shipyard
10. MoD Second Astute Class Submarine Officially Named
11. "Sixth Astute Class submarine keel laid". GOV.UK. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
12. Muczyński, Rafał (23 September 2025). "Royal Navy: Agamemnon in Service, King George VI Under Construction". MILMAG. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
13. Earnshaw, Tom (1 October 2020). "BAE at Barrow takes major step in attack submarine development". Lancs Live. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
14. Tickell, Pamela (22 April 2024). "Barrow naming ceremony for Navy submarine Agamemnon". BBC News. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
15. "Hail the Warrior King as submarine HMS Agamemnon is launched". Royal Navy. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
16. "In awe of Agamemnon: The King sees Royal Navy's newest submarine commissioned". Royal Navy. 22 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
17. "HMS Agamemnon successfully completes initial dive". Navy Lookout. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
18. "His Majesty the King marks significant landmarks in Royal Navy submarine construction". Navy Lookout. 22 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
19. "Alien submarine breaks technical barriers". BBC News. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
20. "United States Navy Fact File: Tomahawk Land Attack Missile". navy.mil. US Navy. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2016.

External links

• Royal Navy HMS Agamemnon (royalnavy.mod.uk)