HMS Ambush (S120), another Astute-class submarine, during sea trials off the coast of Scotland | |
History | |
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United Kingdom | |
Name | HMS Agincourt |
Namesake | Battle of Agincourt |
Builder | BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
Cost | £1.640B (budget) [1] |
Laid down | 14 May 2018 [2] |
In service | Projected late 2026 [3] |
Identification | Pennant number: S125 |
Status | Under construction [4] |
Badge | |
General characteristics | |
Class and 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 kilowatt diesel generators |
Speed | 30 kn (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 and processing systems |
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Armament |
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HMS Agincourt (also known as Astute Boat 7) is an Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine under construction for the Royal Navy and the seventh in her class. The boat's name was confirmed in May 2018, having previously held the in-work name of Ajax. [9]
The confirmation for the seventh and final Astute-class boat was given in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, although the order was not placed until 2018. [10]
On 11 December 2012 the British government announced that long-lead items had been ordered for boats 6 and 7. [11]
On 6 March 2018 the Defence Procurement minister Guto Bebb confirmed that the MoD had gained Treasury approval to sign a contract for Astute Boat 7, [12] after a leaked Navy document had suggested it might not be procured as a cost-saving measure. [13] In May 2018 it was reported that construction of Boat Seven had begun. [14] She has been projected as being ready for service by early 2026 and will be based at Faslane (HMNB Clyde). [2] [15] [16]
Agincourt’s PWR2 nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25-year service. Since the submarine can replenish her air supply and purify water underway and while submerged, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The submarine's main limitation will be from the three months supply of food carried for the 98 officers and ratings.
Agincourt will have provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. [17] The submarine will be capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) [18] and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.
The Trafalgar class is a class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines (SSNs) in service with the Royal Navy, and the successor to the Swiftsure class. Like the majority of Royal Navy nuclear submarines, all seven boats were constructed at Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, Cumbria. With only one boat remaining active and in commission and six retired from the seven originally in service, the class makes up part of the Royal Navy's nuclear-powered ‘hunter-killer’ submarine force. The Trafalgar class has nearly been replaced by the larger and more capable Astute class, of which five are commissioned.
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