HMS Ambush (S120) explained

HMS Ambush is an Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Royal Navy, the second boat of her class.

Ambush is the third vessel, and the second submarine, to bear the name in Royal Naval service. She was ordered in 1997, laid down in 2003 and commissioned in 2013.

Design

Propulsion

Ambushs 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

Ambush has provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21adj=onNaNadj=on torpedo tubes.[1] The submarine is capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1000miles[2] and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.

Construction and commissioning

Ambush was ordered from GEC's Marconi Marine (now BAE Systems Submarine Solutions) on 17 March 1997. She was laid down at Barrow-in-Furness on 22 October 2003,[3] officially named on 16 December 2010,[4] launched on 6 January 2011, completed her initial dive test on 30 September 2011,[5] and departed Barrow for sea trials on 15 September 2012.[6] Ambush was commissioned in a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde on 1 March 2013.[7]

Operational history

Following her commissioning, Ambush continued sea trials throughout much of 2013. In May 2013, she carried out berthing trials with forward support ship [8] and, in August 2013, she successfully conducted her first live torpedo and cruise missile firings.[9]

In October 2014, Ambush completed a maiden deployment to the United States and Brazil, visiting Florida's Port Canaveral along the way and taking part in the centenary celebrations of the Brazilian submarine force.[10] [11] [12] In April 2015, Ambush participated in Exercise Joint Warrior, the largest military exercise held in Europe, alongside 55 other naval ships of NATO navies.[13] She further participated in Exercise Dynamic Manta 15.[14]

Collision

On 20 July 2016, while surfacing on an exercise in the Strait of Gibraltar, Ambush collided with the Panama-flagged merchant ship, sustaining significant damage to the top of her conning tower where some of her sonar equipment is housed. It was reported that no crew members were injured during the collision and that the submarine's nuclear reactor section remained completely undamaged.[15] [16] [17] [18] Repairs cost £2.1 million and the commander, who was training a group of students at the time, was sentenced to forfeiting a year of seniority for negligently hazarding the vessel.[19]

As of early 2024, HMS Ambush was reported to be undergoing a period of prolonged maintenance at Faslane, having last been to sea in the autumn of 2022.[20]

Affiliations

Ambush is affiliated to:

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Alien submarine breaks technical barriers . BBC News . 7 May 2007 . 20 March 2016.
  2. Web site: United States Navy Fact File: Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. United States Navy. 27 July 2016. 27 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170827150407/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2. dead.
  3. http://production.investis.com/bae/shareholder_info/communications/2003/2003-10-31#m4 BAE Systems Investor Brief
  4. Web site: Navy names new attack submarine. defencemanagement.com. 2010-12-19. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110709010231/http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=15034. 9 July 2011.
  5. News: Underwater Tests Mark Ambush Milestone. 5 October 2011. Northwest Evening Mail. 6 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20140914163204/http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/underwater-tests-mark-ambush-milestone-1.884679. 14 September 2014. dead.
  6. http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow/commander-of-bae-systems-barrow-submarine-is-ready-for-sea-1.995992?referrerPath=news/
  7. Web site: Submarine HMS Ambush commissioned into the Royal Navy . Ministry of Defence . 4 March 2013 . 8 March 2013.
  8. News: UK: HMS Ambush Links Up with Support Ship . 10 August 2021 . Naval Today . 8 May 2013.
  9. http://www.bfbs.com/news/hms-ambush-action-first-time-64281.html HMS Ambush action for the first time
  10. News: HMS Ambush back from maiden voyage . 10 August 2021 . Helensburgh Advertiser . 21 October 2014.
  11. Web site: Comemorações aos 100 Anos da Força de Submarinos. Alexandre. Galante. 1 August 2014. 30 July 2016.
  12. Web site: British sub crew visits Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach. 30 July 2016.
  13. News: Dozens of warships join British war games off Scotland. 16 April 2015. The Telegraph. 10 April 2015.
  14. News: Ambush put to the test on NATO exercise. 7 April 2016. Royal Navy. 29 September 2015.
  15. News: UK nuclear submarine collides with merchant vessel off Gibraltar. BBC News. 2016-07-21.
  16. Web site: ROYAL NAVY STATEMENT – 20 July 2016 . UK Ministry of Defence . 20 July 2016 . 20 July 2016.
  17. News: Barrow-built submarine HMS Ambush still undergoing repairs six months after collision . Amy Fenton . North West Evening Mail . Barrow-in-Furness . 7 February 2017 . 16 February 2017.
  18. Web site: Tanker which collided with nuclear submarine HMS AMBUSH identified, probably damaged . Fleetmon . 23 July 2016 . 20 December 2017 .
  19. News: Nuclear submarine commander 'took eye off ball' before collision . The Guardian . Press Association . 15 February 2018 . 16 February 2018.
  20. @NavyLookout HMS Ambush maintenance continues in Faslane. (She has not been to sea since Autumn 2022) . 1772590048459792772 . NavyLookout . 26 March 2024 . 26 March 2024.
  21. Web site: HMS Ambush – Affiliations. Royal Navy website. 2013-09-05.
  22. Web site: Bemrose School visited by Commander Codd. 13 November 2013. 30 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213804/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Bemrose-School-visited-Commander-Codd/story-20071117-detail/story.html. 23 September 2015. dead.

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