History | |
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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 | |
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 |
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Armament |
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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.
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]
It is expected to take approximately 18 months from commissioning to being fully operational. [17]
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 for about three months.
Agamemnon will have provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. [18] The submarine will be capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) [19] and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.