| Career | |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | March 2010 |
| Builder: | BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
| Laid down: | 13 October 2011 |
| Identification: | Pennant number: S123 |
| Status: | Under construction |
| Badge: | |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Astute-class submarine |
| Displacement: | 7,400 tonnes submerged |
| Length: | 97 m (323 ft) |
| Beam: | 11.3 m (37 ft) |
| Draught: | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactor (with full submarine life core), MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators |
| Speed: | 29+ knots (54 km/h) submerged |
| Range: | Only limited by food and maintenance requirements |
| Complement: | 98 officers and men normally, capacity of 109 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Armament: |
6 x 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
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HMS Anson is the fifth Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. On 25 March 2010, BAE Systems were given the go-ahead 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.[2] Later that year work was begun on the pressure hull and reactor compartments and construction is currently ongoing as of 2011.[3] On 15 September 2011 it was announced that boat 5 would be named Anson;[4] it was previously believed that boat 5 would be Agamemnon and boat 6 Anson. Her keel was ceremonially laid on 13 October 2011.[5][6]
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Anson's 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.
The Astute class SSNs are designed as the most stealthy Royal Navy submarines in history. Using advanced stealth technology Astute "makes less noise than a baby dolphin, making her as good as undetectable by enemy ships."[7]
Anson will carry a mix of 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes;
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