Article Posted on : - Nov 03, 2010

HMS Ambush. Photo: Royal Navy, UK.

BARROW-IN-FURNESS, UK (BNS): BAE Systems said it is launching its second nuclear-powered Astute class submarine next month at the company's shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, England.

The 7400 tonne nuclear powered attack submarine, Ambush, will be rolled out on 16 December, 2010.

"The launch of Ambush represents another significant milestone in the Astute programme, following the commissioning into service of HMS Astute in August this year," John Hudson, BAE Systems Submarine Solutions Managing Director, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

BAE Systems is building seven submarines in the Astute class. Each Astute submarine is 318 feet long and armed with a mix of Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles.

The company said the sonar suites aboard the vessels have the processing power of 2000 laptops and each nuclear power plant capable of providing power to a city of more than 200,000 people.

The first boat, HMS Astute, is currently undergoing inspection at Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, in Faslane, Scotland, following her grounding in the Kyle of Lochalsh, on 22 October.