HMS Anson (S123)

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Anson.
Career (UK)
Name: HMS Anson
Ordered: March 2010
Builder: BAE Systems Submarine Solutions
Laid down: 13 October 2011
Identification: Pennant number: S123
Motto: Nil desperandum (One mustn't give up hope)
Status: Under construction
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type:Astute-class submarine
Displacement:7,400 tonnes, submerged[1]
Length:97 m (318 ft)
Beam:11.3 m (37 ft)
Draught:10 m (33 ft)
Propulsion:Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor, MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators
Speed:Up to 30 knots (56 km/h), submerged[1]
Range:Only limited by food and maintenance requirements.
Complement:98 (capacity for 109)
Sensors and
processing systems:
Armament:6 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons:[2]

HMS Anson is the fifth Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. She will be the eighth vessel of the Royal Navy to bear the name, after Admiral George Anson.

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.[3] Later that year work was begun on the pressure hull and reactor compartments and construction is currently ongoing as of 2011.[4] On 15 September 2011 it was announced that boat 5 would be named Anson;[5] it was previously believed that boat 5 would be Agamemnon and boat 6 Anson. Her keel was ceremonially laid on 13 October 2011.[6][7]

Design

Nuclear power

Anson'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 main limit is that the submarine will only be able to carry three months' supply of food for 98 officers and ratings.

Weapons

Anson will have provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes:[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Astute Class". Royal Navy. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "UK's most powerful submarine joins the Navy". MoD. 27 Aug 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  3. ↑ North West Evening Mail £300 million order to boost shipyard
  4. ↑ http://www.navalshipbuilding.co.uk/navalship_newsdetails.asp?newsID=1924&newsCatID=12
  5. ↑ "Navy's newest Astute Class submarine named". Ministry of Defence. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  6. ↑ North West Evening News Underwater Tests Mark Ambush Milestone (5 October 2011)
  7. ↑ BBC News Barrow keel-laying ceremony for Astute-class submarine
  8. ↑ Alien submarine breaks technical barriers BBC News. (7 May 2007).

External links