A stunning timelapse video has been released, showcasing the launch of HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s latest Astute-class nuclear submarine.
The video captures the moment the 7,400-tonne submarine was rolled out of the Devonshire Dock Hall at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, before being lowered into the water for the first time.
A stunning timelapse video shows the launch of HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s latest Astute-class nuclear submarine. pic.twitter.com/gbJHJEh0qx
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) October 7, 2024
HMS Agamemnon, named after the legendary Greek king, is the sixth of seven Astute-class submarines, all constructed at the historic Barrow facility, the hub of UK submarine manufacturing. Measuring 97 meters in length, the nuclear-powered submarine now enters the testing and commissioning phase, a rigorous process that precedes sea trials with the Royal Navy.
Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, commented on the milestone: “The design and build of a nuclear-powered submarine is incredibly complex and a truly national endeavour. I pay tribute to the thousands of highly-skilled people who have helped get Agamemnon to this stage.”
Commander David ‘Bing’ Crosby, HMS Agamemnon’s Commanding Officer, echoed this sentiment, praising the dedication of the workforce: “There is still plenty to do until we exit Agamemnon from Barrow, but the entire workforce should be full of pride for what they have achieved so far.”
HMS Agamemnon will carry up to 38 weapons in six 21-inch torpedo tubes, including Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes. The Tomahawk missiles have a range of up to 1,000 miles, while the Spearfish torpedoes are designed to engage submarines and surface ships.
The submarine is equipped with advanced technology for detection and navigation, including the Thales Sonar 2076 system and two Thales CM010 optronic masts, which replace traditional periscopes.
RN back to good names.
Agreed, thankfully there’s a nice long list of decent ones that we can dust off going forward- as long as the budget begins to go up again as promised, so we can actually afford T32s and T83s etc…
Amazing boat, thrilled to see her almost ready to join the fleet. Now we need five more!
We cant even put the first 5 to sea…
I won’t let that minor fact, nor the fact that more Astutes cannot be built, get in the way of my fantasy fleets thank you!
Hopefully tests go well apart from that welcome to the fleet. Question does anyone know if RR PWR II line is still available. Reason for question. HMS Astute will be 30 years old if the SSN-AUKUS timeline does not slip, in all reality 35-40 years old as the design for the new sub is no where near finished. I am not even sure if the RN/RAN have the detailed requirements yet. Also it looks like they will be equipped with Virginia Payload Modules. For me that just seems like many new things on a new sub. New reactor, new command… Read more »
PWR II production has ceased PWR III is now being produced and PWR II has regulatory issues that were solved in PWRIII.
SSN A won’t be getting the Virginia Payload module. It’s too big, other Virginia class have VLS without the payload module. SSN A will be similar.
Design is at full pace for SSN A.
It will be interesting to see when fabrication starts – it won’t actually be that long before it does as the new. SSBN’s will be a faster build than the Astutes were.
Jim Can you provide a source for the bit about the VPM ?
Sorry just speculating
ABC has covered this many times. PWRII has ended and Dreadnaught is ramping up.
Further Astutes are not possible.
The very last PWR2 was produced for HMS Agincourt, there are no more and non can be produced as all capacity is now focussed on PWR3 and has been for most of the last decade. FYI just like the PWR2 was larger than the PWR1, the PWR3 is larger than the PWR2 and will not fit inside an Astute hull. That is one very good reason for not producing more Astutes, but there are numerous other ones. The time for that decision was nearly 14 years ago and tech has moved on so why would anyone want to build an… Read more »
I think your point about the differing endurance times is rather moot. Firstly, the RN has had to run increasingly long duration deterrent patrols for because of delays in the maintenance and refit schedules (that will hopefully soon be resolved). The most recent patrol was reported as lasting 6 months! Whilst this is a different mission to that carried out by the SSN fleet, the drivers behind this practice could be repeated due to loss of infrastructure for whatever reason. Secondly, the UK has committed to supporting Australia and the US in the Pacific by basing an Astute class boat… Read more »
I think by now even an Elf living in Lapland knows that the SSN(A) will be bigger than the Astutes but with a similar complement. The reasons are driven partly by equipment such as VLS for TLAM and the size of the PWR3 which requires a larger pressure hull (a La Dreadnought). But also the fact that the boats need more crew space than was acceptable for the Astutes. Part of that is down to what modern crews expect and the need for properly designed separate crew quarters for female crew. That all suggests a longer hull and the simple… Read more »
Agreed. I would also suggest that if the RN continues to undertake longer patrols and extends them to the SSN fleet, then improved conditions for the crew would potentially have positive benefits with regards to stress and wellbeing. With the Dreadnoughts being about 17,200 tons (Wikipedia) and the Astutes being around 7,400 tons I guess the AUKUS A boats could be in the 8,000 to 11,000 ton range, which is also in line with the development path of the Virginia class (Block V – 10,200 tons). If so that’s a big SSN, perhaps there will be room for something smaller… Read more »
How proud the teams at Barrow must feel when these magnificent vessels are launched and a lot more subs to come.
Surely, the boat’s commander should be Ping Crosby?
Groan…😉
if we say will you get us two more?
No one seems to have made any comment about the actual “launch”, the entire process is complete “Tour de force” of engineering.
And our facilities are second to none.
Well said…
Are they going to have to upgrade those ship lifts to handle the Dreadnoughts..?
Cheers CR
Tweet today. Astute class seen leaving. Faslane.
Are the boats launched virtually ready to go or is there more outfitting to do?