| Career | |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | May 2007 |
| Builder: | BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
| Laid down: | 24 March 2009 |
| Identification: | Pennant number: S122 |
| 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 Audacious is the fourth Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. Long lead items for its construction were ordered on 28 August 2006 [2] although the actual order was not placed until 21 May 2007.[3] It is currently under construction.[4]
Some aspects of A-04 will be different from Boats 1-3. Changes include the External Communication System (ECS) which will be upgraded.
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Audacious'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."[5]
Audacious will carry a mix of 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes;
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