HMS Artful (S121)
| |
| History |
 United Kingdom
|
| Name: |
HMS Artful |
| Ordered: |
March 1997 |
| Builder: |
BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
| Laid down: |
11 March 2005 |
| Launched: |
17 May 2014 |
| Sponsored by: |
Lady Zambellas |
| Christened: |
20 September 2013 |
| Commissioned: |
March 2016 (planned)[1] |
| Identification: |
Pennant number: S121 |
| Badge: |
 |
| General characteristics |
| Class & type: |
Astute-class submarine |
| Displacement: |
7,400 tonnes, submerged[2] |
| 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[2] |
| 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:[3]
|
HMS Artful is the third Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. She is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to bear this name. Artful was ordered from GEC's Marconi Marine (now BAE Systems Submarine Solutions) on 17 March 1997, and was constructed at Barrow in Furness.[4] She was named on 20 September 2013, was rolled out of the shipyard construction hall on 16 May 2014, and was due to start sea trials in early 2015.[5] Artful made her first successful basin dive in October 2014,[6] and sailed on 13 August 2015 for sea trials.[7] Artful was handed over the Royal Navy on 14 December 2015.[8]
Design
Nuclear power
Artful'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
Artful has provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes:[9]
- Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles - range of 1,240 miles (2,000 kilometres)
- Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes
References
External links
