HMS Audacious (S122) explained

HMS Audacious is the fourth nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy.[1] Several previous vessels of the Royal Navy have borne the name. She was formally named on 16 December 2016[2] and was launched on 28 April 2017.[3] [4] Audacious was stated to be handed over in January 2021.[5] A parliamentary written answer stated that Audacious was commissioned on 3 April 2020,[6] but her public ceremonial commissioning took place on 23 September 2021.[7]

Design

Propulsion

Audaciouss nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25-year service. The submarine can purify water and air, and will be able to circumnavigate the planet without surfacing. However, she carries three months' supply of food for 98 officers and ratings.

Weapons

Audacious has provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21adj=onNaNadj=on torpedo tubes.[8] The submarine is capable of firing Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1000miles[9] and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.

History

Long lead items for her construction were ordered on 28 August 2006,[10] although the actual order was not placed until 21 May 2007.[11] Launch was expected in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the submarine was due to leave the yard in 2017.[12] She was eventually formally named on 16 December 2016,[2] and floated out on 28 April 2017, and was due to leave in 2018 for sea trials.[4] The original budget was £1.279b but by 2015 this had risen to £1.492b.

The submarine and its crew have formally forged links with the City of Leeds (which had previously had an association with) by meeting the people at Elland Road in the city and marching in the Armistice Day parade in November 2016.[13]

Audacious completed her first dive at Devonshire Dock over two days in January 2018.[14] [15] She eventually sailed from Barrow on 4 April 2020, and commenced sea trials on 6 April 2020.[16] A parliamentary written answer stated that Audacious was commissioned on 3 April 2020, but she was ceremonially commissioned on 23 September 2021.

In the first half of 2022, the submarine operated in tandem with NATO forces in the eastern Mediterranean.[17] She was again reported in the eastern Mediterranean in early 2023, including stopping for a rest and maintenance period in Limassol Cyprus.[18] In April 2023 Audacious completed a 363 day deployment, the longest ever for any Astute-class, and returned to Devonport[19] and then Faslane.[20] Owing to a lack of dry dock facilities pending maintenance work, in May 2024 Audacious was still alongside in Devonport[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.astuteclass.com/2012/12/bae-systems-awarded-1-2bn-contract-for-audacious-submarine/ BAE Systems News, 10 December 2012
  2. Fourth Astute class submarine formally named. Ministry of Defence. 16 December 2016. 16 December 2016.
  3. BAE Systems launches Audacious - the fourth state-of-the-art Astute submarine. BAE Systems. 28 April 2017. 28 April 2017.
  4. Fourth new Astute-class submarine Audacious launched at Barrow-in-Furness. Royal Navy. 28 April 2017. 29 April 2017.
  5. Web site: Astute Class Submarines Boat 4 Accounting Officer Assessment . . 16 October 2019 . assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ . UK Parliament . 24 October 2019 . The Operational handover for AUDACIOUS is now planned for January 2021..
  6. Web site: Ministry of Defence Astute Class Submarines . . 29 April 2020 . parliament.uk . UK Hansard . 11 May 2020 . HMS AUDACIOUS was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 3 April 2020.
  7. Royal Navy in Scotland . RNinScotland . The fourth @RoyalNavy #Astute-class #submarine, HMS Audacious, has been ceremonially commissioned into the fleet. . 1441033142991794176 . 23 September 2021 . 16 September 2022.
  8. News: Alien submarine breaks technical barriers . BBC News . 7 May 2007 . 20 March 2016.
  9. 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.
  10. Web site: New nuclear sub is lifeline for Barrow . BBC News Online. 28 August 2006. 9 March 2007.
  11. Web site: Royal Navy to Get New Attack Submarine . . 21 May 2007 . 21 May 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070610120801/http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.9099 . 10 June 2007 . dmy-all .
  12. Web site: UK's 3rd Astute-class Sub Begins Sea Trials . Defensenews.com . 14 August 2015. Andrew Chuter . 21 May 2016.
  13. Gray. Mike. Audacious goes to Elland Road. Navy News. January 2017. 750. 5. Royal Navy. Portsmouth. 0028-1670.
  14. News: Fourth Astute class submarine completes first dive . BAE Systems . BAE Systems . . 15 January 2018 . The trim and basin dive took place over two days in Devonshire Dock, at the Company's site in Barrow-in-Furness last week..
  15. News: British submarine HMS Audacious completes first dive . . 17 January 2018 . Ed . Adamczyk . The Royal Navy's fourth Astute-class attack submarine was completely submerged for the first time at the company's Barrow, England, facility, and many of the 318-feet long vessel's onboard systems were successfully tested..
  16. News: Residents urged to abide by lockdown rules as sub leaves Barrow . 4 April 2020 . The Mail . 4 April 2020 . en.
  17. Web site: Royal Navy hunter-killer submarine completes NATO patrol in the Mediterranean . navyrecognition.com . 5 September 2022 . 16 September 2022.
  18. NavyLookout. 1613129430813097986. HMS Audacious sailed from Limassol today after 39 days alongside.
  19. HMS Audacious S122 enters Devonport naval base at Devil's Point 1-4-23 . 1 April 2023 .
  20. Web site: Hunter-killer submarine HMS Audacious home after historic Mediterranean deployment . 7 April 2023.
  21. NavyLookout . 1714648803960119520 . HMS Audacious alongside in Devonport since April awaiting maintenance pending available dry dock..

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