HMS Artful (S121) explained

HMS Artful is the third nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the British 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.[1] 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.[2] Artful made her first successful basin dive in October 2014,[3] and sailed on 13 August 2015 for sea trials.[4] Artful was handed over the Royal Navy on 14 December 2015,[5] and commissioned on 18 March 2016.[6] [7] [8]

Design

Propulsion

Artfuls 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.

Armament

Artful has provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21adj=onNaNadj=on torpedo tubes.[9] The submarine is capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1000miles[10] and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.

Common Combat System

Artful is the first Astute-class submarine to utilise the Common Combat System, which will be fitted on every Astute, Vanguard and Dreadnought-class submarine. The Common Combat System was originally meant to be first tested on the fourth Astute boat,, but the system was completed ahead of time.[11] [12]

Operational history

In May 2021, Artful joined UK Carrier Strike Group 21 on its seven-and-a-half month-long maiden operational deployment to the Far East.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Second Astute Class submarine officially named . . 22 December 2010 . 4 March 2015.
  2. Web site: Third Astute submarine named Artful. 20 September 2013. 5 October 2013. Ministry of Defence.
  3. Web site: First successful dive for new nuclear submarine HMS Artful during trials in Cumbria . Navy News . Royal Navy . 7 October 2014 . 4 March 2016.
  4. News: Third Astute submarine Artful sets sail for sea trials . . 13 August 2015 . 13 August 2015.
  5. Web site: Third Astute submarine formally handed over to the Royal Navy . Ministry of Defence . 14 December 2015 . 4 March 2016.
  6. Web site: HMS Artful becomes a commissioned warship . Royal Navy . 18 March 2016 . 18 March 2016.
  7. Web site: HMS Artful commissioned in Royal Navy ceremony. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. 2016-03-19. 31 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160331104614/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/hms-artful-commissioned-in-royal-navy-ceremony-1-7804151. dead.
  8. News: Third Astute submarine Artful to join Royal Navy fleet. BBC News . 18 March 2016 . 2016-03-19.
  9. News: Alien submarine breaks technical barriers . BBC News . 7 May 2007 . 20 March 2016.
  10. Web site: United States Navy Fact File: Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. navy.mil. US 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.
  11. Web site: HMS Artful test fires first torpedo using new UK-made advanced Combat System . Royal Navy . 29 February 2016 . 4 March 2016.
  12. Web site: Royal Navy's newest sub test fires torpedo using £50 million UK-made advanced Combat System . Ministry of Defence . 29 February 2016 . 4 March 2016.
  13. News: Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth Drills with Indian Navy Ahead of More Pacific Exercises . 8 August 2021 . . 22 July 2021.

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